7 Tips for Starting Your Home Based Business Online
Copyright 2006 Sergio Franchi
So, you've decided to start a home based business online.
Congratulations! and welcome to the fast-paced world of the
internet and entrepreneurship. While there is a lot to learn,
your effort will be worth it.
The thrill of growing your home based business online, the
freedom and flexibility to set your own hours, and the
possibilities of ever-increasing financial rewards are all
wonderful reasons to start your home based business.
Now that you've decided to start your business, you might be
wondering "How can I get it off to the strongest possible
start?" These seven tips will help:
TIP 1...
Set up a separate working space in your home. It doesn't matter
if this is a small bedroom, one part of the garage, or a corner
of the living room.
The important thing is to have some space that you can designate
as your working area. This will give you the space and room you
need to craft your dream.
TIP2...
Stock your working space with materials. This sounds basic,
perhaps, but one underlying element of success is that you have
easy access to the tools, materials, and other resources you
need.
Gathering everything close by also keeps you from wasting time
searching for it, so this step can be considered a time
management strategy, too.
TIP 3...
Speaking of time management, your third step is to define the
parameters of your business. What days and hours will you work?
When will you market? When will you provide services or products
to clients? How will you keep all of this straight?
TIP 4...
Balance action with planning. One of the most common pitfalls to
successful entrepreneurship is getting too caught up in action
without enough planning.
Stated another way, this means that you confuse "being busy"
with "working on important projects." The best approach is to
plan your next couple of goals and then work backwards to create
step by step action plans to reach them. Once you have the plan,
then it's time to take the action.
TIP 5...
Network like crazy. One of the fastest ways to grow any home
based business online is to make connections with other people.
Be sure to share your passion and enthusiasm with others at
every opportunity. Let people know who you are and what you
offer. Remember, people can't buy if they don't know you're
selling.
TIP 6...
Present a professional image. If you want to be treated
professionally, present a professional image. Set up a separate
bank account for your business. Install a separate phone and fax
line.
Create professional marketing materials. Be courteous and
pleasant in all your customer facing interactions. Basically, be
someone people want to do business with.
TIP 7...
Automate your online business as much as possible. Granted, you
are just one person (right now) and might have a lot of extra
time to take care of all the details.
This might work for now, but won't work into the future as you
get busier and busier. It's best to set up automatic systems and
processes right from the start to free up your time to
concentrate on the most profitable activities.
These seven tips will get your online business started (and
growing) in the right direction.