If you're at college or university, it's the best possible time to launch your own business. To forestall your disagreement and questions, I'll provide three valid reasons why you should follow your entrepreneurial ambitions now.
Many students don't dare to launch a startup. They think that it's impossible to find money for their crazy ideas. In fact, some startups don't need many funds. Moving service, residential cleaning service, and accessories making are pretty low-cost business ideas.
While other students might be partying their free time away, you could be turning your passion and expertise into income opportunities as an entrepreneur. So, what kind of business can you start?
Design an app.
Are you earning your BA or MA in computer science or software development? Do you have an idea for the next killer app? Then bringing it to life will be your best choice.
One of the most successful apps of all time, the Pulse News reader was created in May 2010 by two Stanford grad students (Ankit Gupta and Akshay Kothari). Later, they sold the app and dropped out of school. Pulse aggregates different sources of content into one easy to view menu.
Other successful apps developed by students are HBCU Buddy, Rover, Power Planner, CleverMiles, MadPad, Battery Go, Mafuta Go, iHomework, etc.
To venture into app development field, you'll need to follow these :
Step 1: Assess the market potential of your idea.
Almost 60% of developers don't break even on costs when developing and executing an app. Even worse, almost 70% report their most successful app never made more than $5,000. Why do they fail? Because of inefficient marketing? Poor quality of the product? Awful design? Maybe. But the main reason is that the app simply doesn't solve a problem. Look around you. Every man-made invention has been designed for some reason. So, figure out what problem your app will solve.
Step 2: Analyze user needs.
So, you've specified the problem that you'd like to address. Think whether the users need your software solution. Is your answer the best one out there? Is it a significant problem that hasn't been answered yet?
Step 3: Write an app.
Make sure you have basic software development skills and knowledge.
- Are you familiar with various programming languages, such as Java, C++, and HTML?
- Do you have strong general computing skills (including database management, memory allocation, security, and hardware interaction)?
- Can you create a user interface that is easy-to-use on the go?
- Do you have an understanding of the software development process and lifecycle, including the design-develop-test-release-maintain cycle, and long-term life cycle support and maintenance?
Step 4: Get feedback.
Show your demo version to family, friends, and anyone else who can give you constructive criticism. Don't seek out the people who will tell you, "Wow, that's cool." Brutal honesty is crucial at this stage.
Step 5: Launch an app.
Protect your intellectual property before announcing your app launch. After that, get it featured on the app store.
Step 6: Promote your app.
Mind that work is not over when you debut the product. It won't sell itself. Make your app accessible to your target audience. And invest some money in marketing.
Start an essay writing service.
I've always liked reading and writing. So, it was no surprise to anyone that I decided to pursue a degree in English language and literature. In my freshman year, I understood that I couldn't lead such a frugal life. I started to work as a librarian at my college. I could perform my homework if there were not many visitors in the library.
Some of my mates had part-time jobs too. And they had troubles with balancing their studies and work. I've got to know that they sometimes paid essay writing services to get their essay writing done. That was the first time I thought about earning money by writing.
I applied for a job. The selection process at the service was really tough. But I passed it and was accepted as a writer. In a year, when I gained experience, I made up my mind to launch my own startup.
With my partners (my mates who were willing to make money producing essays) we created a website and advertised our small company via the social nets. In three months, we recruited a few more writers. During the last three years, our company has grown. And we're still working on its development. I easily combine my studies with editing papers a few times a week in our company.
Here are the main steps you need to do if you want to launch your own essay writing service:
Step 1: Get a job at some service.
Thus, you'll understand how it works. A vision of your own company will become clearer.
Step 2: Find partners.
First, you need support. If other people believe in your idea and work towards bringing it to life, you'll feel more confident.
Second, professional writers and editors will be unlikely to work for you at the start of your venture. Students from your network will not refuse from occasional earnings.
Third, you might need funds for the next step. You can encourage your partners to have a whip-round.
Step 3: Develop a website.
There's no need to search for a reputable developer. Your college probably has a department of computer science or software development. Ask tech-savvy students to design a website for you. It will be cheaper.
The website should be easy-to-use. It's important for the customers.
- Create an intuitive website design to make an impression for the future visitors.
- Make an order placement quick and simple.
- Develop a chat to provide instant customer-writer and customer-support assistance communication.
- Customers need a dashboard to keep track of the orders status, payments, and other details.
- There should be a possibility to write a testimonial.
Important features for your staff:
- Writers and editors need a functional message manager to categorize them Read/Unread, Important/All.
- The writing staff also needs a dashboard to check their orders, earnings, and other work related activities.
As an owner of the website, you will find these admin features to manage an online essay writing platform essential:
- CMS technology;
- the tools for user and money management should be convenient.
Step 4: Hire more staff.
As your business begins to grow, you'll need more writers, editors, technical support assistants, and customer support assistants.
Step 5: Advertise your service.
Let more students know about your essay writing service via social nets.
The success of your startup will depend on the quality of service. Write academic papers that meet the customer's expectations. Offer secure payment and guarantees. Upgrade your blog constantly and manage comments.
Launch a personal training program
Are you athletic and into sports? Think about starting a personal training service.
Two Stanford business students, Ann Scott and Leslie Silverglide, created Wello (now Weight Watchers) 2011 with a simple intention - to make fitness easier. This online fitness platform provided a personal, gym-standard training experience delivered through live video sessions (it's a two-way video like Skype - both people can see each other). In 2014 Wello was acquired by Weight Watchers. A startup still connects people with personal trainers to receive private fitness consultations through online video chat.
Keep reading to know how to start your personal training business :
Step 1: Get a certificate.
Entrepreneurs who want to launch a personal training business do not necessarily need to be professional trainers before they can kick start the program. But special certifications will be to your advantage in the market place.
Step 2: Get a job and gain confidence.
Many educational institutions have a gym on the campus. Try to enroll as a fitness instructor in some field. Use your working experience to the utmost. Learn to create individual training plans. Ask your more experienced colleges for advice. Get their feedback on your strengths and weaknesses.
A job can help you decide whether the personal training program is a right startup idea for you. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Can you balance studying and a job?
- Coul d you manage the responsibilities of an owner of personal training business?
- Could you offer effective training routine to your possible clients?
Step 3: Launch a personal training program.
To start working on your own, you need to do the following:
- Write a business plan.
- Decide what equipment you need and where to train (at home, outdoors, online, or in a gym). Find a way to combine these strategies.
- Learn and arrange all the legal and tax aspects of a small business.
- Get a liability insurance that best meets your needs.
- Use the latest technology and trends to empower your startup.
Business growth rests on the quality of service. So, always try to exceed your client's expectations. Remember, one client will often lead to another.
Start a blog.
Carli Bybel is one of the most well-known YouTubers. The girl was at high school when she decided to make some money on Youtube. In 2011, she uploaded her first video. Within a month, she received around 1000 subscribers. Amazed by the feedback, she continued posting makeup and hairstyle tutorials. Her subscribers grew to one million after two years. Thus, she found her key to success and hasn't looked back since. At the moment, she has 5 and a half million subscribers. Her channel is called 'The Beauty Bybel'.
Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on photographs (photoblogs), videos (video blogs or "vlogs"), music (MP3 blogs), and audio (podcasts). Everyone can become a blogger. Though this occupation won't bring you much cash at once, it's worthwhile to give it a try. Consider the next :
Step 1: Choose your topic.
Find something you're really passionate about. In this way, you won't only inspire others, but also gain expertise by interacting with subscribers and doing research for your blog posts.
Step 2: Define your audience.
You should know who you're trying to reach when crafting your content. Otherwise, you might reach, well ... nobody.
Step 3: Develop your exclusive style.
There are a lot of blogs out there. What makes yours stand out? If you want to engage the audience, the best bet is to make it eye-catching and talk about things most people have an opinion about.
Step 4: It depends on the type of blog you want to keep.
If you want to create your own website, you'll need to get a domain and hosting, create a theme, set up WordPress on your server and configure settings, etc. It's much easier to start your blog on one of the free platforms, such as Blogger, Tumblr, Weebly, Squarespace or YouTube.
Step 5: Produce compelling content.
Finally, start posting new blog posts/videos and publishing them regularly (at least once a week). To reach more subscribers, you'll require ongoing marketing, promotions and even paid advertising.
It's time for us millennials to prove those negative stereotypes wrong. We're not entitled. We don't ask for special privileges. We're not lazy. We're some of the most ambitious people in this world. We can influence and change the world around. As a millennial, you can show that by launching the world's next great startup.
