You already know what you want to do, but not sure what steps to take in order to get your work at home business started? You’ve come to the right place! Using the check list below, in the order they’re given, check off each item as it’s completed. Once the check list is complete you should be ready to open your doors.
1. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce, County Clerk or Building and Zoning to see if there are any special licenses or permits your need to operate your business legally.
2. Decide if you’re business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation. You can research this information online or check with your accountant or attorney.
3. Name your business. Your business name is probably one of the most important things you need to think about. It needs to be relevant to your business and catchy and memorable.
4. Set up a business budget. You need to know how much it’s going to cost to start your business, keep it running and make a profit.
5. Write your business plan. Every business needs one and you can find forms for this online to simplify the process.
6. Advertising and Marketing -You need to incorporate into your business budget money for advertising and marketing, whether it’s online or not. No matter what type of business you own, you need to advertise it.
One of the least expensive ways, and the most profitable marketing solutions, are websites, blogs and social networking. If you do nothing else to advertise your business, you must market it online. Get a website designer or virtual assistant to help you with this if you don’t know how or don’t have time.
People all over the world use the Internet and search engines to find information when they need it and if you don’t use this highly valuable medium to market your business, you are missing out on literally millions of potential customers.
7. Hiring personnel – If you need to hire others to help you get the job done professionally and efficiently, now is the time to start interviewing. Don’t wait until you have your first customer but can’t complete the job or do it well because you don’t have the man power.
8. Office Space – Just about every work at home business requires some type of office space, whether its a table where you’ll do your bookkeeping and paperwork or it’s a full fledge room. Make sure you have a good spot laid out in your home where you can work peaceably and uninterrupted.
9. Office Equipment – Chances are you’ll need, at the very least, a calculator or adding machine, a file cabinet and some files and some type of receipts in order to keep proper books for yourself, the IRS and customers. Most people find using a computer or laptop the most convenient and efficient. You may also need a fax machine, a scanner and a printer depending on the type of business you run. You’ll also need a phone so potential customers can readily contact you for business.
10. Business cards/flyers/brochures – Whether your business is on the internet or out in the community, you want to let your community know about it. They will most likely be your first customers. Get some printed materials to post in laundry mats, grocery stores, the library or town hall, banks and other facilities that allow postings of this type. Be sure you always have business cards on hand so when people ask you what’s new, you can tell them all about your business and hand them a business card.
Having your own home-based business provides amazing freedoms and great challenges. You can start the day ready to take on the world only to end it feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. So how does one stay motivated?
Here are three simple tricks that should get you back on track.
One of the easiest ways to lose your motivation when working at home is to allow yourself to become isolated. Maintaining communication with your friends and colleagues is a great way to blow off steam, get advice, brainstorm, or even escape for a little while. Schedule time to get out of the house every week by joining a networking group or just having lunch with a friend.
Participate daily in online forums for your industry seek and offer advice. There is nothing better for your mental well-being than communicating with someone who knows exactly what you are going through or having the ability to provide assistance to someone in need. Find a mentor, someone who has achieved what you want and whose life you would like to emulate.
Make sure they are willing and have the time to coach you. When you take the time to reach out to people who inspire you, believe in you or just make you laugh, the isolation disappears and is replaced with a renewed spirit and enthusiasm.
When you can’t get out to talk to other people, learn to talk to yourself. Just make sure that you are having a positive conversation. Write down a list of positive affirmations that you can tell yourself and keep them on your desk, if you are having a hard time with this ask a friend to help. Repeat these affirmations out loud when you find yourself doubting your abilities or feeling overwhelmed. If they feel a little forced in the beginning remember the “fake it till you make it” mantra and just keep trying. There is tremendous power in positive self-talk.
Remember to take breaks. One of the great advantages of working at home is being your own boss. So give yourself permission to take breaks everyday. Just like your time out of the house, your breaks should be scheduled so you have something to look forward to. Take a walk, listen to some music, go talk to your neighbor, read an article in a magazine, or do whatever you want that is away from your desk. Sometimes just walking away from a project can provide new insights, ideas, and motivation.
Be kind to yourself but remember that you are the key to your own success. Take the steps you need to maintain your motivation and you will have a thriving and profitable business.
posted by Chris Simpson
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Monday, May 18th 2009
Many home based business owners are an army of one and therefore must contend with all of the menial and complicated tasks involved in running a business, or do they? One of the best lessons any business owner can learn is when and how to delegate to get the help they need. The answers to a few simple questions should help any owner determine whether or not its time to delegate and what tasks can be outsourced.
1. Do I understand how to accurately accomplish this task?
If you had a cavity, would you try to take care of it yourself? Of course not – you would make an appointment with a Dentist (a professional). So why would you think that just because you own your business you must personally see to tasks like; filing taxes or maintaining accounting records. Give yourself permission to seek the professional help and advice you need.
2. Is this a task that I enjoy?
Many people abhor business writing, bill paying or returning e-mails. If this is the case then the time you are spending doing something you hate is actually costing you more than the task is worth because more than likely it is taking much longer than is necessary. Think about what your time is worth per hour then multiply it by the number of hours you spend doing the tasks you don’t enjoy – the number may surprise you. There are many ways to get administrative help to handle the tasks that are unappealing and it may very well be an investment worth making.
3. Is this task preventing me from growing my business?
Are you too busy working in your business to actually work ON your business? If you don’t have time to answer phone calls and e-mails or attend your weekly networking groups then you are in need of some delegation. There is a fine line between controlling and delegating. A good business owner knows how to hold on to the things they need to and allow someone else to do the rest. If you have been struggling to come up with a design and copy for your website and it has become a source of stress, then it many be time to turn the task over to a professional and focus on your area of expertise.
4. No one can do it like I can!
Make a list of all the tasks that you do, prioritize them, figure out how much time you spend completing them, then figure out how much money you spend completing everything yourself. If you make $50,000 a year and worked a 40 hour work week, your hourly rate would be about $25. If you worked only 4 hours a day on tasks that could be delegated that’s $100 a day, $500 a week, and $2000 a month! Take the time to train someone to do it the way you want and turn the task over.
So if you are buried under a mountain of mundane tasks and difficult projects and it is becoming detrimental to your work from home business, its time to take a long hard look at how you spend your time and consider delegating.
posted by Chris Simpson
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Although there are many home business opportunities out there, many people choose to get involved with a home business with a company that already exists. There are definitely many existing companies looking for good representatives to work from home.
However, before you get started, there are a variety of things that you should consider. Many people jump quickly into an opportunity without doing any research on the company. Here are a few things that you will want to consider about this type of an opportunity before getting started.
Do You Have a Passion for the Company?
First of all, you need to figure out whether you are passionate about this company and the service or product they have to sell. Don’t just get involved because of someone else’s success. You need to honesty have a passion for this or you will fail. If you are not able to get excited about it, then you probably won’t succeed. However, if it is something that you are passionate about, your chances of success skyrocket.
What are the Costs Associated with Getting Started?
It’s definitely a good idea to find out the costs that are associated with getting started with the home business. Figure out how much you will have to pay to get started and what all you get for that cost. Some companies provide start up kits that are just a few dollars while others may cost you a couple hundred to purchase the kit. Just make sure you aren’t throwing your money away.
Are They Really Legit?
Ensuring that the company you are considering working for is legit is very important. You don’t want to begin working at home representing a company; only later to find out the company is not a good one. Check closely into the company. Find out whether they are a good company that is successful or whether they have a lot of complaints filed against them. This is just a good way to protect your-self.
Is Training Provided?
You’ll also want to find out if the company provides you with training to get started in this new home business, or do they just leave you out there on your own? Look for companies that do offer training and support to you. Check to see the presentation of the training as well. Before you decide on getting involved, you want to know what types of materials for training you are going to have to help you out.
Can I Really Earn Enough?
Last of all, it is important to figure out whether or not you’ll really be able to earn enough money with this opportunity. Is it realistically going to cover all of your financial needs? If you can’t make enough money to support yourself adequately, then it may not be the best home business opportunity for you.
These are just several important considerations that you’ll want to remember when you are choosing a home business working with another company. Ensure that you investigate thoroughly these companies to make sure that you choose the best opportunity that will help you make the money that you want to make from home.
posted by Chris Simpson
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