| Marcia Merrill eCareerCorner.com 410-467-0811 http://www.eCareerCorner.com Meet Your Coach |
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According to the US Small Business Administration (SBA) there are approximately 17 million businesses with only one employee (the Owner, President, Principal or Founder--whatever you call it, it's JUST you. Having your own business can be exhilarating! After all, YOU & YOU ALONE decide on what you do--you're your "Own Boss!" After all, You and You alone, are responsible for making your business thrive or take a nose dive and "crash and burn." Sixty-six percent of new businesses fail in first three years, according to the SBA.
You and you alone are responsible for your financial income! You and YOU ALONE. The SBA cites that lack of entrepreneurial qualities, lack of planning and lack of information as the basic reasons why small businesses fail. and most failure occurs during first five years! By taking some assessments, you can see if you're the type that wants coworkers and craves public contact, or one who enjoys working on your own. A coach can assess this and serve as cheerleader/sounding board, who asks the tough questions to help you plan and provide information.
How can you make certain that you're not one of those failure statistics? That your business thrives? Planning--make sure you don't skip planning--write your business plan, don't skip this step! There are many books and online resources that help. And be ready to do tons of marketing! Experts say that when you're a new business, regardless of whether it's a product or service, at least 80% of your time will be spent on Marketing! So, start honing those creative juices or contract/barter for these services--try to use other small businesses!
What are these marketing materials you'll need? It varies, but some things are constant. HAVING A WEB PRESENCE IS ALMOST VITAL! Everything seems to be accessible on the "Net. Wedding pictures, virtual nurseries of hospitals and shopping are just some of the things available online.You want to be online, too. HINT--you want a professional-looking web site--this may be the first time a prospective customer/client learns of you! Take the time.hire/barter a good web designer.or at least refer to some basic business/marketing books before you embark on creating your unique web site -one that will bring tons of business your way.it is one of your marketing tools!
Your biggest marketing tool is you and your ability to market yourself and your product/service. You want people to have your information on hand, so you need business cards--design your own at vistaprint.com. Or barter/hire a marketing designer (another entrepreneur), and you're ready to present yourself and your business. If you're a good writer, write articles to help get the word out. Do workshops, presentations, join your local Chamber of Commerce and a networking group in your industry (i.e., an information technology consultant joins/attends meetings of his local technology council/association).
Regardless of your interests and people contact skills, networking is a vital part of anything you do. You have to get out there. Network/communicate about your product/service. Go to trade shows, exhibit what your business can do. Yes, being your own boss can be a tough and lonely road, but it can also lead to being financially independent and give you a sense of accomplishment. Being self-employed can be tough and exhilarating.
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