Have an idea and keep it simple

To become an entrepreneur you need to have a good idea and, contrary to public belief, the simpler the idea the better. The best entrepreneurs create simple solutions to specific problems that they themselves have experienced.  If you don’t yet have your billion-dollar idea, try to think of ways that you can make your own life simpler, and use the solutions that you come up with as inspiration.

Take action

So, now you have your amazing idea, you need to do something about it!  Imagine if in 20 years time the creators of Apple were sat on their ‘Banana Mac’ browsing on ‘youTunes’ complaining that they had the idea first! Admittedly, it can be hard to know where to start, so begin small, by talking to people you know, and gauging general interest. Do some research on the internet to find out if any competition already exists, and if so, think about how you can make your idea stand out from the crowd. Once you have some feedback and have developed your idea, look at the ways that you can implement it. What do you need to do to make your idea happen? Are there any start up costs? Think carefully about what you need to do, then focus on how to get there.

Use connections

Think about everyone that you have met through school, university, family and friends, and then think about who might be able to help you with your idea. You probably know more useful people than you think! However, if nobody springs to mind, then don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to ask for help or contacts. Other businesses may benefit from your idea, so will be happy to help you develop it. It’s also important to try to find yourself a mentor, or someone who can give you regular guidance. Even the best entrepreneurs can get carried away with their ideas, so it’s always good to stay in contact with someone who can provide an objective point of view from outside of your business. Finally, try to make contact with other aspiring entrepreneurs who you can bounce ideas off, and share your anger and frustrations. For this you can use websites like Meetup or Linkedin. Having other entrepreneur friends will help you to know that you are not alone in your struggle, and you never know who might be a useful contact in the future!

Take advantage of Social Networking

Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook provide the perfect platform to get your idea out to your market, and the best thing about them is that they are free! Start your social media campaign by doing some research. Check out how other companies are using social media, especially potential competitors, and see what works and what doesn’t. Next, make yourself a profile and build up connections. Start by asking your friends to connect with you, and then join groups, and connect with other businesses.  Companies spend billions on advertising campaigns, but if you have a strong presence on social media websites, then all of your marketing can be done with minimal cost to your business.

Be confident (but not over confident!)

If you know that your idea would help make your life easier, then chances are it will benefit other people too. Believe in what you're doing and have confidence in your own abilities. You won't persuade other people to believe in you if you don't believe in yourself! And remember, in the event that your business doesn’t succeed, look back on what you’ve learnt and consider what to do next time. There’s always another opportunity; just dust yourself off and keep on going!