Once you have defined your value proposition (Starting a Business: Step 1), the second step is to make a list of all your contacts. Most of us have a large stack of business cards and many more contacts in our Microsoft Outlook files. These should include people you’ve worked with and people you’ve met through professional associations, at networking events, through volunteering, and so forth.

These are people who know you, so they’re the first contacts you want to make once you have your business materials complete. They may have work for you; they’re certainly among those most likely to provide you with new leads and recommend you to others.

Photo by Natalie Maynor (Flickr).