marketing done differently

1. Refine Your Idea & Conduct Market Research

• Clarify your vision: Identify your “why” and what unique value you offer 
• Research your market: Analyse customer needs, conduct competitor analysis, define pricing trends and review demand in specific locations
• Validate early: Survey potential customers or test a minimum viable product to confirm interest and assess areas for improvement

Pitfalls: Launching without validation often leads to wasted time and money.
Solution: Perform small-scale trials or focus groups before committing major resources, time, effort and money.

Talk to us for guidance!

2. Choose Your Business Structure & Register

• Select your structure: Options include sole trader, partnership, or limited company 
• Understand liabilities: A limited company protects personal assets; sole traders have full liability; that includes your personal belongings, your savings, even your property
• Register properly: Sole traders register for Self Assessment with HMRC (if you have a £1,000+ turnover); limited companies register with Companies House regardless

Pitfalls: The wrong structure can lead to unexpected taxes or legal problems.
Solution: Use gov.uk guidance or consult a business advisor (we can help with that)!

3. Write a Business Plan

Some business advisors will claim you don’t need a business plan to start a business. In part this is true, but only depending on what your business model is and the type of business you are setting up.
Business plans provide direction, a bible you can refer back to, a moment in time where you can see how much progress you have made and a document should you require funding down the line. In my opinion, they are invaluable.

• Outline your strategy: Include a mission statement you know you can adhere to, outline your values, visually represent your market analysis, business structure, marketing plans, and financial projections
• Tailor for funding: Investors and lenders want to see a clear, professional document if you are looking for capital as a start-up (again, we can help with that)!

Pitfalls: Overly ambitious or vague plans turn off investors as it’s quick to see when a business is underprepared and overexaggerating; be realistic.
Solution: Base forecasts on real-time market data; start with a concise plan and always call it V1 (version 1) and adapt to V2,V3 etc as you progress.

4. Budget & Secure Finance

• Estimate startup and operating costs: Premises, equipment, materials, marketing and advertising, insurance, your salary, outsourcing roles, shipping, packaging; all of these need to be considered and built into the costings
• Explore funding options: Self-funding, loans (e.g., gov-backed Start Up Loan), grants, or investors; all of which come with their own set of pro’s and con’s
• Maintain cash buffer: Prepare for unexpected expenses and ensure you have no business downtime should the worst happen

Pitfalls: Underestimating expenses leads to cash flow issues.
Solution: Build in contingency and monitor expenses diligently.

Surprise, surprise – we can also help with this!

5. Set Up Infrastructure & Register with HMRC

• Open a business bank account Technically this is only required for limited companies, however in my experience it’s always easier to assess your P&L (profit and loss) when you have a dedicated business account and if, in future, you are required to share this data for financial purposes. Essentially it means you are also sharing your personal expenditure.
• Implement bookkeeping: Use “cash basis” if turnover is under £150,000pa and you’re a sole trader 
• Register for VAT: This is mandatory if your turnover exceeds £90,000; although you can voluntarily register if you/your accountant believes it to be in your best interest.
• Get relevant insurance: Public liability, professional indemnity, and employer’s liability if hiring staff is paramount in safeguarding yourself, your business and your assets.

Pitfalls: Neglecting tax registration or insurance can result in heavy fines an even imprisonment.
Solution: Set reminders for HMRC deadlines and consult an accountant.

You guessed it, we’re here for you when it comes to this!

6. Secure Premises & Suppliers

• Choose location wisely: Consider zoning, costs, and use class requirements if your business requires 
• Set up logistics: Whether working from home or renting premises, ensure your supply chain and equipment are in place with a primary focus on stock management and logistics if neccessary
• Vet suppliers carefully: Evaluate reliability, price, and payment terms. Not everyone is out there to help you; they’re working on their own terms with their own agenda.

Pitfalls: Poor location planning or unreliable suppliers can disrupt operations.
Solution: Visit sites in person and pilot vendor relationships.

Oh hello!!! We can help you overcome all these obstacles!

7. Branding, Marketing & Launch

• Develop your brand identity: Name, logo, website, and tone of voice so that you remain consistent across all channels. It’s all about who you are an what you look like as a business
• Consider Personal Brand Identity: Put a face to a name. Include your story and sell it if it benefits your business and your brand story
• Plan your launch strategy: Combine online (social, email) and offline (events, PR) tactics
• Monitor analytics: Track metrics to optimise ongoing marketing

Pitfalls: Inconsistent branding or weak online presence can limit reach.
Solution: Keep messaging consistent and invest in basic digital marketing tools.

Hit us help, we are here for it if you need support!

8. Anticipate Legal, Regulatory & Growth Pitfalls

• Compliance risks: Licensing, permits, employment law, or data protection (GDPR) are all major legal obligations many businesses forget about – don’t be one of them
• Operational risks: Reliance on a single client or supplier can disrupt logistics and make reputation hard to claw back if you mess up. It’s all about customer satisfaction; have a plan B, C and D just in case
• Growth challenges: Scaling too quickly without infrastructure can lead to rapid decline if not managed carefully. Don’t get too big for your boots without methodology.

Solutions: Seek expert legal advice, diversify revenue sources, and scale gradually knowing you’re creating something great. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Hey hey! We can support you every step of the way with ALL of this!

Final Takeaways

– Validate your idea with research & customer feedback 🔍
– Choose the right structure & register legally 🏢
– Create a realistic, focused business plan 🗺️
– Secure funding & build in a cash buffer 💰
– Set up finances, VAT, and insurance properly 📑
– Choose premises and suppliers thoughtfully 📦
– Launch with consistent branding and measurable marketing 📣
– Plan ahead for compliance, scaling, and risk management ⚖️

AND OF COURSE, HIRE INTERROBANG MARKETING TO HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY….

Setting up a business in the UK is both challenging and rewarding. By doing your research, planning carefully, and preparing for common pitfalls, you’ll lay solid foundations for long-term success. AND when you have a partner alongside you who knows the do’s and don’t’s, the common pitfalls, the highs and the lows – who better to get involved in your start-up business to help you scale…?