Small Business Start Up Tips
By Eileen Hebert

Starting a home-based business is not difficult however certain steps should be taken to ensure the success of any new business venture.   First, it is important to give careful consideration to what your business is going to be based on. 

Some businesses offer services and others sell products.  Whatever your business is based on it should be something that you are proud of and something that brings you joy in some way.   Remember, one purpose of starting a home business is finding more happiness in your life. 

After you know what it is that your business will be about it is time to develop a business plan.  Business plans are much more than busy work.  They can be the road maps to success if they are done correctly.  A good business plan will include a listing of all assets as well as all debts and things that you would like to purchase.  But it doesn’t stop there, it will also include all employees (you may even list their essential skills and talents), as well as the plans you have for the business.  These plans will include short-term goals and long-term goals.

You may want to list where you want to be in three months, in six months, in one year, in three years.  You can get detailed and specific if you like but you should understand that a business plan is a living document.  What I mean is, this plan will continue to change as the business grows.  You should update your business plan no less than twice a year.

Your business will need a name.  Think of a catchy name.  Consider that using your name for the business name will be good for your ego but not so good for your business.  Let me explain why.  Let’s say your business is shoes and your specialty is tennis shoes. 

Let’s say your name is Sally.  Now let’s say I’m doing a search for tennis shoes….or I simply put in a search for the word shoes.  I’m probably not going to see your site if your business name is Sally’s Shoes, (which sounds good I might add).  But if you name your company – or at least your site, “Tennis Shoes For You”, or “Shoes, Shoes, Shoes”, your site is much more likely to come up if I put in a search for shoes or for tennis shoes.

Try to come up with a catchy logo.  This will help to brand you and your business.  You may want to design or have a banner designed for you.  This banner can be used on all business forms, emails, the website, etc.

Be sure to put a webform on your website in order to collect names and email addresses.  It’s important to give the site visitors a reason to opt-in.  Using the shoe business as an example, you might send your list a report on the latest Shoe Fashions or a Discount for opting in at your site.

This will allow you to build a list of clients that you can send information to allowing you to build a rapport with them.  Your clients will come to trust you as they learn that you are knowledgeable and willing to assist them.  This client base will be willing to make purchases from you in the future. 

Eileen Hebert©
TrueCallingCareers.com
Make Money Doing What You Love

About The Author
Find out how to break free from the corporate world. Eileen Hebert is a happy corporate escapee who helps individuals create happiness without 9 to 5 jobs. Visit TrueCallingCareers.com for free tips on career change, home based businesses, and making money doing what you love!