How do you start a business in just one day? The key is organization, and for many entrepreneurs, tackling the process of putting their dream into action is extremely satisfying when it’s done right. There are so many online resources available these days for those with a great idea; start by checking out a few that make sense for your needs, including software and small business services that will make running things as simple as possible.

Use this guide from the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce to start your business within one 8-hour day:

8 a.m.-9 a.m.--Narrow down your ideas

Even if you already have a great business idea, you should start off by refining it and making sure it will work. For instance, you might want to start a catering or baking service, but if you don’t have the equipment to create and transport large quantities of food, that option may not be viable. This is also the time to think about funding and which ideas will require the least amount of startup cash, such as a home-based option.

9 a.m.-9:30 a.m.--Set some goals

Once you know what type of business you’d like to start, you’ll want to create a few goals. Are you looking to make this business a career? It’s a good idea to hold onto an existing day job for a little while just to make sure you have a cushion, but you can set an intention to make your new business your main source of income by a certain date.

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.--Do some research

Researching your potential competition, funding needs, and customer base will take a little time, so make sure you’re organized during this part. Take notes as you learn more about how your competitors advertise and interact with their customers; how do they manage their social media pages? What can you do differently?

12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m.--Start planning

Now that your goals and research are in place, you can start creating a business plan to make those goals a reality. Forming a business structure–such as an LLC or sole proprietorship–is an important step and can be done with the help of an online formation service. Think about how you’ll fund your business and whether you’ll need employees, as well as where you will run things (your home, a rented office or storefront, etc.).

1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.--Prepare for the financial end

Once you have your funding needs worked out, it’s important to think about the daily financial operations and how you’ll manage them. Using a cloud-based invoicing tool will allow you to make it easy for customers to pay you by offering automated payment reminders, scheduled payments, and alerts that tell you when they’ve received invoices. You can also seek out accounting software that will help you keep track of your income, tax responsibilities, and cash flow.

3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.--Create a marketing strategy

Finally, it’s time for one of the most important aspects of building a business: finding customers! Your marketing strategy will be a major part of your success, so it requires some careful thought. Who is your target audience, and how will they find you? Is their age group active on certain social media platforms? Which ones? Will you use traditional marketing methods along with digital ones? You’ll also need to think about your brand, how you can use your brand identity to create unique and eye-catching ads on a budget. Using PDFs for your social media posts and email campaigns can be a great choice. This PDF merge tool may prove useful in helping you to easily combine multiple PDF pages into one document that can be easily shared.

Creating a business in one day may sound like an impossible task, but you can lay the groundwork for success by staying organized and sticking to a schedule. By planning carefully, you can build a company you’re proud of.

If you’re ready to grow your business with the help of great local resources and partnerships, join the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.