Do you recall the first day you decided to open a business? Maybe you did so much research that you felt you were practically an expert on the topic. But, that was then and this is now; you need a little refresher course. This article is going to provide you with what you need to know to get ahead.
You need to be able to listen to your internal time clock if you work at home or own your own business. It's true that there is very little that you can do about when your employer wants you to get up, but when you are in charge, try listening to your own body to determine when you should start your day.
Working from home and setting some rules
Keep home and work communication separate. Don't send work e-mails from your personal account. Consider getting a separate work phone line. If that is not an option, get caller ID. Don't take personal calls while at work. Don't take business calls after work hours. Politely ask friends and neighbors to call before coming to your door.
Set up a P.O. Box for your home business. It can be dangerous to use your home address on the internet, so setting up a P.O. Box will allow your family a measure of security. Even if your business is not on the internet, it is still a good idea to give yourself some anonymity through the use of this service.
Working from home and your dress code
Just because your home-based business affords you the opportunity to work in your pajamas, it doesn't mean that you should. While it may be tempting to go from bed to desk, you will be more productive if you shower, dress and act as if you need to be ready to meet with an important client at any time, while you are working.
You can find information and advice through online forums and communities specifically offering support for the home business owner. There are countless forums and websites dedicated to the owners of home businesses, and the information and support that can be gained there can be invaluable. Many of the people you meet in online message boards and forums are more than happy to exchange tips, information and even warnings. This is especially useful when you find yourself with a new problem.
Do not forget about taxes! When you are running a home business, it is easy to put aside the thought of paying the government. However, you not only have to pay federal and state taxes, but you also must pay something called a self-employment tax. It may be best to obtain the help of an accountant to get you started.
Make sure you have cash flow for your home business
When gathering funds for your home business be sure to have many back up investors. You can never trust that everyone who says they want to invest will actually provide the money at the proper time. If you have a few second string investors ready than you will be setting yourself up for success.
You need to be as excited about your business as you were in the beginning. Everyone wants to earn money and have a good reputation, but many people struggle to find the type of success they desire. Let's hope that this article provided you with lots of new and interesting information to use.
Thanks,
David Ingham
No comments:
Post a Comment