If you have decided to start a home based business, I want to be among the first to say, “Congratulations” and wish you the very best on your journey ahead. The world of entrepreneurship is fast pased and you will sometimes feel overwelmed at all you feel you have to do and learn.  I want to encourage you to pursue the trials and tribulations, even when the going gets rough … do not give up!!  Just think of all you have to gain.  You will have your OWN business, with flexibility and freedom to do what needs to be done when you want to it.  You will be able to spend quality time with your family. These reasons along with the possibilities of increasing financial rewards all contribute to the benefits of starting your own business.

Below is a list of seven suggestions on getting your home based business off to a productive start.  In order to build a prosperous business you will want to build a good foundation with all the right elements in place to be certain to make it work.

1) It is vital that you set up a specific, designated, space in your home where you will be working.  You will find when you are filing your income taxes that this is a requirement to be eligible for tax deductions.  Your home office needs to be a designated space.  This does not mean that you are working on the coffee table in the living room or at the kitchen table.  You will want a space that can be set up for you to exexcute your goals and perform your tasks on a daily basis.  You will want to have a place where you will have solitude to conduct your business.

2) Furnish your working space with all the tools you will require to accomplish your tasks.  It is advisable to have everything you need close at hand.  This will save you from hunting the house looking for things, such as a stapler, binder clips, paper, pens,  etc.  When purchasing office equirment, especially when it comes to the high ticket items like a computer, printer, or specific furniture, be sure you keep your receipts and good records of your expeditures.  When it comes time to file your taxes it will make your job a lot easier if you have been efficient throughout the year and kept all the necessary paperwork where it will be readily accessible.

3) Time management is an extremely important factor in your home based business.  Set up parameters from the start.  Choose what days you will work and the hours you will devote to accomplish what you need to do.  An extension of this act of time management is to elaborate on your time allocation on the various aspects of your business.  If you will have contact with clients they will need to know the hours you will be available.  If this is an internet marketing venture define how much time you are going to spend on marketing/prospecting and communication with clients or prospects.  If you are developing a downline, set up a schedule when you will be able to work with your people.  An integral part of having your own business is to devote time to educating yourself on the various aspects of your business.  There is always room to improve and learn more to enable us to keep on top of current methods.  How will you keep all these activities organized?

4) Coordinate your planning and action activities.  A common mistake that a lot of new entrepreneurs make is spending too much time on “action” activities and not enough with “planning”. Do not confuse “being busy” with prioritizing and “working on important projects.”

Write down your goals and define the steps you will need to take to accomplish your goals. Be sure to include a timeframe.  Keep this information where it is visual so you will know if what you are doing is “on target”, or not.

5)You will want to learn the proper means of  Networking.  Let everyone you know about your new business.  Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to advertise.  Sharing your enthusiasm about your new venture is one of the fastest ways to get your business off the ground.  You will not be able to sell your services or products unless you let people know what you have to offer. If you have chosen to embark on an internet marketing business opportunity contact like-minded people that will enhance your team. Share your opportunity with others. Polish your leadership skills.

Further expand your networking activities online.  Develop a web page that will present your professional image to others on the internet.  Clearly present your services and/or products.  Create additional marketing materials.

Be sure to follow the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Guides Governing Endorsements, Advertisement, etc. that was released on October 5, 2008.  Research what your responsibilities are in conforming to these Guides.

6) You will want to present a professional image. You will be treated in the light you are perceived. It is recommended that you separate your business accounts from your personal accounts.  Set up a separate bank account for your business.  Perhaps you will want to go even one step further and install a separate phone and fax line for your business.  Honest, courteous interactions with your clients or team members are very important.  Be someone that people want to do business with or the type of leader that team members want to emulate.

7) When you first start out you will have ample time to accomplish the tasks to grow your business.  However, as your efforts produce results you are going to want to automate your business as much as possible. Include plans for automated systems and procedures in your plans from the beginning.  This way you will be able to devote necessary time to accomplish more profitable activites.

You will be working with global opportunities if you are involved with internet marketing.  This is truly exciting.  You will be learning about people and their cultures from all over the world.  With the internet your circle of friends and business partners will greatly expand.

I hope that these seven tips will help you build a foundation for your new business that will bring you great success!

Judy Conway

Email: judyconwaymarketing@gmail.com
Skype ID: judy.conway
http://judyconway.com
http://fullservicemarketingtools.com

Tags: Add new tag, Business, Home Based, Opportunities, Resources and Networking, Small Business

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Posted in Family Home-Based Business Social Networking Tips for starting a home based business by Judy Conway 4 Comments