The following tips are from an article we contributed to Compute magazine. These are ideas that we all should know, but many times forget. It constantly amazes us how quickly a basic tenent of business can be shoved by the wayside in the heat of daily transactions.
If we all try to keep these simple principles in mind, they may keep us on the straight and narrow in our pursuit of home office bliss.
1. Buy an answering machine. This will allow you to give your attention to a client and not the telephone. Be sure your message is done in a professional manner and includes business name, telephone number and hours of operation.
2. Be sure to have a separate telephone line for business. This will avoid your family using the same line and busy signals to prospects and clients. Keep your personal calls separate and insure your business line is always answered in a professional manner.
3. Read, read and read some more. You will constantly be learning about your business. Reading will allow for additional knowledge, change and growth.
4. Buy a fax machine. This will allow you to give your clients prompt responses and in many cases save on postage and telephone costs. It will also avoid having to leave your office to go and fax something at $1.25 or more per page.
5. Have an identity package professionally done. Your logo, letterhead, business card, envelope and brochure will be the first impression a prospect or client has of you. To insure the impression is a good one, have your business package done by a professional designer. The cost is worth it.
6. If possible set up your office in a separate room of your home. This will allow you to close the door at the end of the business day and allow better separation of your personal and business life.
7. To project a professional appearance be sure your home is always neat and clean-nothing lying about. In addition be sure your yard is well kept. Remember, first impressions count.
8. Be sure your business name is descriptive of what you do. Business names that don't relate to your services can hurt a business. Avoid using just initials, that's fine when you get to be the size of AT&T, but remember, in the beginning no one knows you.
9. Make up a business plan. This will help you research, define and outline your market. It also avoids starting a business in a field that may be overcrowded.
10. If possible, be sure to have at least six months worth of living expenses in reserve. This will allow you to concentrate on getting your business up and running without worrying about paying the bills.
11. If possible, buy a copy machine. This avoids having to go out every time you need to make a copy. Also, it allows you to give a client a copy on the spot. This can go a long way towards enhancing your image as a real business.
Copyright DeFiore Enterprises 2002
Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our "how to" Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like having your own personal coach: http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com
move in cleaning service Mundelein ..Did you know that there is one critical difference between... Read More
'Tis the season to give. And finding the right gift... Read More
Are you ready for a BASH? Have you ever been... Read More
1. Use subheads throughout your ad copy.Subheads are great to... Read More
Let's put to rest the fallacy that success, in sales... Read More
Please don't think I am calling you a "moron" to... Read More
10 Ways to Boost your ProfitabilitySo many business owners work... Read More
We've heard numerous success stories of Internet entrepreneurs like Jeff... Read More
Many new coaches struggle to attract their first client. Often,... Read More
Good Speakers need good listening skills to become Great CommunicatorsSpeakers... Read More
Ever lost a sale you thought was in the bag?... Read More
There are lots of benefits for some businesses to import... Read More
Sometime soon you will be attending some training. It may... Read More
When sending mail to clients and potential clients, make your... Read More
My husband and I were enjoying our dinner meal one... Read More
Buckling under the weight of chronic corporate restructuring, and frustrated... Read More
Hey, as hard as this may be for you to... Read More
The 9-to-5 grind can make you feel like a just... Read More
Attraction marketing is about making a customer for life not... Read More
Ten Tips for Staying ConnectedMany of my business clients tell... Read More
One way to manage your time more effectively is to... Read More
Which one are you? An effective IT project manager, able... Read More
The term "junk mail" is a well-known term. To... Read More
Rut -- a routine procedure, situation, or way... Read More
Part Two of Cash to Cash Cycle SeriesNext: SalesWe've already... Read More
insured cleaning company Highland Park ..Your business card is a valuable piece of real estate... Read More
Positioning Your Company for Debt Financing:There was a time in... Read More
If you've been thinking of starting a business on the... Read More
Attraction marketing is about making a customer for life not... Read More
How do you focus on your urgent e-mail and organize... Read More
"Vision is the spectacular that inspires us to carry out... Read More
Always include a powerful signature on every email you send... Read More
A lot of people are at a loss when it... Read More
Cross cultural differences can and do impede upon communication and... Read More
I have some good news and I have some bad... Read More
Here are ten things that you can do to hold... Read More
How many of us have been in a position where... Read More
So many people I worked with said they got more... Read More
Ten Tips for Staying ConnectedMany of my business clients tell... Read More
Does your business have a money tree you can shake... Read More
Here are a few ideas to get you started, all... Read More
You're busy with your business today, aren't you?You're pushing your... Read More
What follows is a bold statement, but sometimes it takes... Read More
Almost daily, newspapers, business magazines, radio and television carry reports... Read More
There are many places you can get books, and I... Read More
Many new coaches struggle to attract their first client. Often,... Read More
You have a great idea you know is a winner.... Read More
1. Great Things Take Time ? Three years passed between... Read More
1. Admit there is a problem.The very first step in... Read More
So how do you eliminate your competition without bloodshed? You... Read More
Top Quick Tips |