Without further ado, here are six questions you should be asking yourself when you own a business. They are designed to make you think, of course, so don’t just pass them off without a second glance. With every question, ask “does my potential audience know the answers to these, too?”

What Do You Sell?

This is an easy one because you just need to figure out the products and services you offer, describe them in decent detail, and make sure there’s plenty of information available on your website and otherwise.

What Makes Your Business “Tough”?

By “tough,” we mean “resilient.” Why would a customer choose your business if you weren’t going to last through the hard times? They wouldn’t, in reality. So what makes you tough? Why are you going to still be standing when the businesses next to you fade out?

How are You Unique?

What makes you unique? What makes you different? Do you price match, offer personal customer service, or do you have more included in your packages?

What is Your Purpose?

As a company, what do you have to offer the people around you? What’s the purpose of your company – is it to inform, persuade, or convince your audience that you’re the best?

What Do You Want to Achieve in the Next Twelve Months?

Short-term goals are just as important as long-term goals, and it’s important to think it through before you make a big decision. For example, if you want to have double the customers in the next year, it’s probably not wise to spend all of your capital on a new company car – put it into marketing instead.

Who are Your Customers?

Above all, you need to know the audience you are targeting. If you’re putting out dark, whimsical ads for an audience that is above the age of 40, you may want to reconsider your entire image – or your ads.