How often has someone thought of starting a business based solely on the fact they think it will be easier than working for someone else. Fact is, owning and operating a business can be one of the most grueling experiences you will have. Granted, there are many advantages, but unless someone has actually run a business there is much to consider before you make that decision.
The following information will help you operate a business more professionally. With today's technology there is no reason you cannot have the look of a large company even if you are working off your kitchen table. If you have a home based business it is suggested you have a room dedicated to your business. This helps you to stay focused and there are some major tax benefits in doing this.
PROFESSIONALISM
-Choose voicemail rather than an answering machine. There is a major difference in the perception to the caller.
-Toll free number. Check with your local telephone company to find out if this is available to you if you will have a lot of clients/customers from outside your calling area.
-Have a separate business phone line. You do not appear very professional if your children answer the phone.
-Email. Avoid using free services due to limitations and perceptions. -Dedicated fax line. A small business will appear as such if the fax number and phone number are the same.
RUNNING AN OFFICE
-Stay organized. The more you can keep yourself organized the easier it will be to respond to customer's requests in a timely fashion.
-Color file folders. A great way to organize your file system. Each color indicates a category.
-Dedicated file cabinets. Separate personal papers from business.
-Form letters. Don't reinvent the wheel with every letter you write. Keep form letters on a disc or your hard drive.
FINANCIAL END of running the business. There will be many costs to running a business. The following are some of the investments you will need to consider.
-Medical insurance
-Separate phone lines
-Taxes
-Marketing material
-Office supplies
-Products
-Service fees
-Accountant
-Financial Planner
-Bookkeeper
-Keep excellent records
-Keep all receipts
-Advertising
THINGS YOU WILL NEED IF YOU WANT TO STAY COMPETATIVE
-Business license
-Incorporate
-Bookkeeper
-Financial planner
-Marketing material
-Business cards
-Letterhead
-Envelopes
-Folders
-Letters of referral
-Bio sheet
-Product or service sheet
-Web site
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
-Which ones are most beneficial for you to join? To get the biggest benefit from any organizations you need to get involved. Use the monthly meetings to network.
-Dues and fees. How much are the annual dues and cost for monthly meetings?. Figure that in your budget.
-Conventions. Are there any conventions you need to go to? What is the time and cost investment? Talk to others who have gone to find out if it will be worth the investment.
-Network. Most of your business will come from referrals.
QUALIFYING THE BUYER
-Who is my customer?
-Do they have a budget for my product or service their budget?
-Do I want to work with them?
PAPERWORK
-Invoices
-Contracts
-Service agreements
-Letters
MANAGE PROFESSIONAL IMAGE
-Responding to requests by providing what the customer needs. If you are not the person for the job, who can you refer (that's why networking is so important)
-Follow-up. Do your follow-up in a timely fashion
-Develop a good relationship with the client
-Return calls as soon as possible
-Send information in a timely fashion
-Priority mail is often less expensive than first class. And it can be more impressive to your client.
-Keep in touch after the fact. A mistake a lot of people make in doing business is they do a job for a client and then seem to forget the client. It is easier to get repeat business than it is to find new business, and yet, so often business owners and salespeople (which is what you are if you own a business) will look for the new customer and forget about their existing clientele.
Kathleen Gage is a keynote speaker, author and business advisor specializing in marketing and promotions. Access Gage's's FREE eBook about how to gain visibility on the Internet with Street Smarts Internet Marketing at http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/free-ebook.htm
apartment cleaning near Glenview ..The choice of financing is an important determinant of whether... Read More
We were more than excited. Our women's doubles tennis team... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
Winning small and home based businesses today must continually shake... Read More
If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More
Every company has a value proposition. That is a statement... Read More
Looking for ways to boost your cash flow? As a... Read More
I have a confession to make. My name is Caroline... Read More
As small business managers, we juggle limited resources in a... Read More
Does your small business have a banking and credit card... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
In a perfect world, starting a small business would be... Read More
Do you have a Business Plan? Congratulations, but you are... Read More
A recent survey showed that only 28.7% of small business... Read More
This year, some 700,000 American businesses will be sold. Most... Read More
Most small businesses will not even try to advertise on... Read More
As an entrepreneur you can learn a lot by following... Read More
I agree that knowledge should be free, but the next... Read More
If you have a busy private practice, chances are you... Read More
If small business had no important outside audiences, it wouldn't... Read More
You're pretty proud of yourself! After all, only four months... Read More
Shopping for a franchise is easy if you know what... Read More
Starting your own e-commerce business can be quite the adventure.... Read More
So you want to get into the auto detailing business... Read More
residential cleaning services Morton Grove ..How much is your time really worth? Is it worth... Read More
There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More
Does your company have a community relation strategy? Have you... Read More
Let's face it, we all tend to get stuck in... Read More
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, since... Read More
Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them... Read More
Macon, GA goes after garage-gas station conversion detail/hand car washes... Read More
In the book Women and Small Business author gives all... Read More
You bet it's worth it. Publicity via news releases, along... Read More
As a specialist in getting restaurants open, it is surprising... Read More
It's a commonly quoted statistic: 80% of all small businesses... Read More
SBIR vs. STTR: If you are participating in the SBIR... Read More
When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to... Read More
Have you been searching for the perfect home-based business? I... Read More
So you want to get into the auto detailing business... Read More
There is a great deal of abuse going on in... Read More
There are many factors to be considered when you are... Read More
You can't imagine how many people ask me how I... Read More
Your product is dying. With the same inevitability that we... Read More
One of the biggest fears people have about starting a... Read More
It is an American dream to own a business. But... Read More
One of the hidden perks of raising six children is... Read More
You've always liked flowers and you think the idea of... Read More
Here are seven ways for owners of small businesses to... Read More
If you are a small business you know that you... Read More
Small Business |