Inspiring Loyalty In Your Customers: 3 Clever Tactics

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key to your business being successful is winning the loyalty of your customer base. Doing so will assure a continuous flow of profits and an assured furthered health of your business. The following contributed post is entitled, Inspiring Loyalty In Your Customers: 3 Clever Tactics.

* * *

Why does your business need loyal customers? Well, the first reason is that it is much easier to sell to someone that has previously bought from you than a cold lead. Also, particularly loyal customers will help you spread brand awareness and act as ambassadors online too. Something that can also help you boost your sales. The good news is that you can find out exactly how you inspire customer loyalty in the post below. Keep reading to find out more.

Provide the best possible experience.

One way that you can ensure your customers are as loyal as possible is to pay attention to the experience that you provide them when they interact with you. In fact, this applies not only IRL in places like stores, restaurants, and other businesses but online as well.

In fact, there are some specific strategies you can use to ensure that your customer’s experience is as positive online. The first is to make sure that any website you operate is customized with the visitor in mind. After all, if you can’t get your website to work, customers are very unlikely to trust you with anything else.

Additionally, some businesses also go for innovative applications to complement their websites. These being intuitive to use when designed well. Thus, they can help to build up that trust relationship with your customer that is such a valuable foundation for long term loyalty.

Really listen to what they want.

People love to be listened too, customers doubly so. Of course, there are some serious advantages to actively hearing what the people that are responsible for your income have to say.

The reason for this is that listening to feedback and changing the way you do things in line with this will ensure that your customers are much happier. Both because they have been heard, and as things have been changed to better suit their needs.

Of course, happier customers are much more likely to remain loyal to your brand. Something that can ensure you have an effective sales funnel at all times, and your business is as successful as possible.

Be transparent, and keep promises.

A big part of gaining the loyalty of your customers is trust. In fact, if your customers trust you, then they are much more likely to be loyal. Of course, for a business to be trusted by its customers requires several things.

The first is that you keep any promises, you make no matter how small. Something that means deliveries need to arrive on time calls returned and problems solved.

Additionally, being transparent about your business’s ethos and practices is also essential if you want your customers to trust you. Something that means you need to both have a policy regarding company and supplier ethics and that you make sure you operate in line with this.

Of course, the work involved in establishing such trust will often be well rewarded. With customers coming back time and again for repeat business. Some may even become superfans or ambassadors for your brand organically, spreading the good word about you online and IRL!

3 Ways To Attract People To Your Business Event

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Business events can be critical to getting the word out about your products and services. It’s important to get the word out about your event. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Ways To Attract People To Your Business Event.

* * *

(Pixabay CC0)

There are all kinds of reasons as to why you might put on a business event.

As examples, you might want to…

● Introduce people to your new product or service.
● Offer training to other local business owners.
● Celebrate an anniversary with your customers and investors.

Of course, no matter what the surface reason is for holding a business event, the underlying reason is this: you want to increase your local visibility. It’s a perfect marketing ploy! Still, your event will fall flat if people don’t show up, so it’s important to find ways to attract attendees. You can do this in the following ways.

#1: Raise awareness on social media

The earlier you create a buzz about your event, the better, and social media is the natural place to do it. After all, how many people don’t have a Facebook or a Twitter account these days? So, create a Facebook page for your event and invite your customers and other relevant people to take a look at it. Get people excited with well-crafted Facebook posts or tweets on Twitter. And generate interest on YouTube too, perhaps with a promo for the event detailing what will be happening on the day, or a funny video that somehow connects to the event and that has a chance of going viral. Be sure to use all of those other social media channels that your target audience uses too, such as Instagram and LinkedIn, and be creative in your postings.

#2: Send out personal invites by mail

Okay, so we know snail mail has become less popular these days thanks to the rise of digital marketing, but people still enjoy finding a piece of mail that isn’t a household bill in their letterboxes! So, send out personalized invites using an invitation maker, and be as creative as you can with the design. Let people know what to expect on the day, perhaps by including an itinerary with your invite. And give them an incentive to come, perhaps by offering them a free drink at the bar or a free raffle ticket if they show their invite at the door.

#3: Be charitable

If the people you invite suspect the event is all about your business and nothing else, then they might have less incentive to come, even with the free drink idea that we suggested above. However, if you can show your charitable side, then you may give them an extra reason to attend. So, you might give half of the proceeds you make from ticket sales to a popular local charity. If you hold a raffle, this could also be in aid of a good cause. And you might also hold a charity auction, where your attendees can both give and acquire prizes at the event, with proceeds going to an established charity.

These are just a few suggestions, so consider them if you’re holding a business event any time soon. And think about your own ideas too, but be creative, as a generic email or text message may not be enough to sway people away from their televisions on the night of your event.

Let us know your thoughts and ideas by leaving a reply below.

How to Reach Your Full Potential as a Business Owner

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Not everyone is the best business owner they can be when they first get started. There several aspects one can focus on to improve their performance. The following contributed post is entitled, How to Reach Your Full Potential as a Business Owner.

* * *

There’s no getting around the fact that running a business can be difficult. There’s plenty of competition to think about, and some of these competitors can be giants, which makes it extra difficult. While there are some things that are outside of your control, some of them are very much within your control, such as ensuring that you’re giving your business your all. As such, it’s important that you reach your potential, and leave nothing on the table. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at a few tried and tested ways you can push yourself and maximize your output.

Pexels – CC0 Licence

Find Your Strengths

It’s important that you have confidence if you’re going to start a business, but there is such a thing as overconfidence. If you think you can do every task in your business to a high standard, then not only will you be spreading yourself too thin, but you’ll also overlook improving yourself and your business. As such, it’s recommended that you perform a little self-analysis and figure out your strengths and weaknesses. This will tell you what you’re good at, where you need to improve, and where you’ll need to rope in help.

Look After Yourself

One of the more important factors that contribute towards reaching your full potential is whether you have the energy to do so or not. If you’re forever feeling tired, or your lifestyle means that you can’t think or function as well as you could do, then it’s time to make some changes. We all think that our personal and professional lives are separate, but this isn’t really the case; you’re only one person, so of course, they feed into one another. Take steps to get your personal life in check, so that you’re eating healthy, getting enough exercise, and resting well. You’ll find that you can perform better at work.

Self-Improvement

As we mentioned above, you’re going to have some skills that allow you to succeed in business. But it’s not as if you’re the finished article; how could you be, since you’re so relatively new to the game? You’re going to make mistakes, but even if you don’t, it’s still recommended to take steps to improve yourself. If you’re willing to continue your education, read the best blogs and books from successful entrepreneurs, and avoid becoming too comfortable, then you’ll have the right mindset required to push things forward.

Free Up Your Time

You will, of course, need to work hard if you’re going to build a successful business. But it’s important to look at just how you’re spending your time. Are you wasting too much of your energy on time-consuming tasks, for instance? If this is the case, then take a look at freeing up your time by outsourcing some tasks. If you’re spending too much time answering your phone, then work with a company like www.rubyreceptionist.com.au, and get your calls answered by a professional. Other time-consuming tasks, such as taking care of admin duties, accounting, legal matters, and tax, can also be outsourced.

Trust Your Staff

You’ll want to outsource some jobs, but there could also come a point when you need to hire staff. Bringing employees on board can help you in any number of ways, including helping to lighten your load and challenge you to become a better leader. However, if you’re going to hire staff members, then you’ll need to trust them to get on with their job. There’s little value in hiring team members, only to watch over their shoulder every step of the way — that approach isn’t going to save you time. Learn how to avoid micromanaging your team, and you and your company will flourish.

Taking Breaks

You might think that in order to do your best, then you need to work as many hours as possible. It’s a noble idea, but an incorrect approach. This isn’t going to help you; it’ll hurt you. You’re not a machine. There is an upper limit to how well you’re able to work. Part of your self-care will involve taking regular breaks, both on a small scale throughout the day, and on a larger scale throughout the year. You’ll be able to work much better once you’re fully rested and full of energy!

Trust Yourself

Finally, be sure to trust yourself. You won’t be able to reach the heights you’re capable of reaching if you don’t take risks every now and again, and to do that, you’ll need to have faith that you’ll sink, not swim.

Looking to Improve Your Office? Here Are 5 Types Of Professional Services You Should Hire

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. At certain junctures in the road, the time comes to improve your office space. There are specific services that you need to employ in order to properly do this. The following contributed post is entitled, Looking to Improve Your Office? Here Are 5 Types Of Professional Services You Should Hire.

* * *

Photo by Marc Mueller from Pexels

Are you looking to upgrade the look and functionality of your office space? Then there are certain outsourced professional services you should seek. As a business owner, you always want what’s best for your company.

And although there are certain changes you can make to the space as a team, there are other aspects that are better in the hands of an external professional company that has years of experience in that particular industry. To help kickstart this process, here are 5 types of professional services you should hire:

Architects

Do you want to completely change the appearance of your office? Whether it’s a new office that you’ve just moved into or you’re looking to give your current one a refreshed look, hiring an architect is a great solution. Although it might seem like an expensive outlay, their creativity and innovative ideas can prove to be invaluable.

Making the space more practical and functional, you’ll have an office that suits your business’ needs down to a tee. Once completed, you can then add your own features to the space.

Of course, the alternative is building your own office. Although this is great if you’re on a budget, it’s not a choice that will suit every business – especially one that might have a little more budget to spend on the renovation.

Plumbing Services

Plumbing isn’t something that should be undertaken by anyone who isn’t trained – especially when working on an office renovation project. If you’re looking to improve the state of the restrooms in your office building, consider hiring a professional plumbing service. Making your restrooms functional and practical, you can then bring in a decorator to finish the job.

Electrical Services

Similarly to the above, you should never try to undertake electrical tasks by yourself – no matter how skilled you think you are. Instead, opt for a professional, skilled and experienced company to come and install new lighting/fix broken electrics within your office.

Companies such as GPE Electrical and Communications Contractor Pty Ltd can come to your building and complete the task, ensuring that it’s working perfectly and maintained throughout the years.

IT Outsourcing

When improving your office, it’s not just about the aesthetic look of it. You will also want to consider how you can improve it, in terms of technology. In the modern-day, the importance of having a watertight IT infrastructure is undeniable. No matter what industry you’re working within, you need to know that your data is kept safe and that your systems are up and running 24/7 – which is where an outsourced IT company comes in.

Tracking your systems, implementing cybersecurity and running continuous checks on the infrastructure, they offer an invaluable service that will help your business to thrive in the long term. Something that should never be overlooked, it’s an investment that’s worth making whether you are a new or long-established organization.

An Interior Decorator

Have you spent countless hours looking at office interiors on sites such as Pinterest? Then it’s time to create your own dream office with the help of an interior decorator. With years of experience in the field, they know what will work within a space. And while you can obviously share your vision with them, they will also suggest pieces of furniture, lighting features, and more that will align with it.

Settling The Very Real Emotional Trouble Of Business Management

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Health/Wellness. Working in business management is much different than being on staff as an employee. Decisions must be made, sometimes difficult ones with can impact one’s quality of life. The following contributed post is entitled, Settling The Very Real Emotional Trouble Of Business Management.

* * *

Pexels – CC0 License

Running a business is not an easy process, no matter what anyone tells you. To run a business or to get to a CEO, CFO or executive position, you need to work harder than you may ever have in your lifetime. This is why those fields and positions are so competitive, because you often get out what you put in. However, it’s 2020, and it’s time for the recent healthy talk surrounding mental wellbeing to find its way into the workplace.

It’s astonishingly easy for us to burn ourselves out in pursuit of our dreams. You give all you can, and sometimes in business, that may not be good enough. This can lead you to think that you’re simply not giving enough, to the point where you may sacrifice health and comfort in order to make matters work. We know that as a business leader, a solid 7-8 hours of work in a day may not be enough to get things going. That being said, settling the very real emotional trouble of business management should not be considered a side concern, but a pressing measure you should attend to.

We would recommend doing so in the following ways:

Talk Through Your Problems

Don’t bottle everything up. Business struggles sting, and it’s okay to admit that. Having to let staff go can be a real hardship, and pretending as though it isn’t can only make you feel colder about things. If something is troubling you, talk about it. It may be that through services like Bluesky Psychology, you are able to define a real, particular problem you are going through, and get the true assistance you need.

Don’t Overpromise

It’s easy to think of the overpromising businessperson as someone who is insecure and unable to confidently stand behind their product offering. Perhaps they feel as though they need to bend over backwards at every turn because this makes the most business sense. It doesn’t. Remember not to overpromise, because that can leave us without a clear goal, and when the time does come to make good on those offers, you will disappoint. This can only lead to stress, and it will make you feel like a failure, ironically stemming from a desire to help everyone.

Live In Reality, Not In Expectation

Live in the reality you are part of. There can be many ‘would haves,’ ‘should haves’ or ‘fake it til you make its’ in the business world, and this can lead you to think in terms of your vision. There is a certain self-deluded quality that all successful people have to have, especially if they’re making something from nothing. But this must never take precedence over actual objective living in the moment and making the daily decisions as felt. In other words, are you responding to the situations present now and curating your best business, or are you trying hard to live up to what you think you should be as a business leader? These measures are not always in sync with one another. Be here now, to the extent that you can.

With this advice, we hope you can help your mental and emotional health, even working within a stressful business role.

5 Ways To Increase Your Local Visibility As A Business

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. One of the most important aspects of your business is your visibility. Customers are more likely to patronize your business if the more known you are. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Ways To Increase Your Local Visibility As A Business.

* * *

Image by Welcome to all and thank you for your visit ! ツ from Pixabay

One of the hardest things to do as a small and local business is to ensure the people in your area know who you are. Whether you’ve been running for years or you’re just getting started, increasing your local visibility should be one of the main priorities for your business. Luckily, there are lots of tips and tricks you can pick up to ensure you’re doing exactly that. From using business directories to investing in PPC, the more you’re doing the better. With that in mind, here are 5 ways to increase your local visibility as a business:

-Attend Local Events And Networking Sessions

One of the best ways to increase your visibility in the local area is to attend local events and networking sessions. Although it may be daunting at first, attending networking events is a great way to meet like-minded people. Not only that, but it’s the perfect way to meet people that may be interested in your products or services. Although you don’t want to use these networks to sell if the topic comes up, take it as a good opportunity. For a guide to attending local networking events, you can visit this site here.

-Target Local People With Pay Per Click Advertising

If you know who your target audience is and where they’re going to be located, you can use pay per click advertising to create ads that will increase your local profile. Although it can be quite expensive at times, pay per click advertising is incredibly effective. For a guide to using pay per click to grow your business, you can visit this site here.

-Consider A Local Business Directory

Another great way to improve your local visibility is to consider a local business directory. Although they may be hard to come across at first, directories are a great place to list your business and your services. Chances are, you’ll find customers from them more often than not. For more information when it comes to using a business directory, you can visit this site here.

-Consider Working With A Local PR Agency For Coverage

If you want to gain local coverage on TV or in local papers, you might want to consider approaching a local PR agency for assistance. Although it can be expensive, gaining local coverage for your business is a great way to ensure people are seeing your brand everywhere they go. If you appear in local news, it will be much easier to grow as a business.

-Try And Promote A Loyalty Scheme In Your Local Area

Finally, you might want to consider promoting a loyalty scheme in your area. Although it may take some time to grow, it’s the perfect way to get people talking about your business.

Are you looking for ways to increase your visibility as a business? What can you do to ensure you’re doing all that you can to grow locally? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.

Expanding Your Business The Right Way

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. If you started off as a small business, at some point you will want to expand. While expansion may be your next step, it’s important to do it in the smartest way possible. The following contributed post is entitled, Expanding Your Business The Right Way.

* * *

Source Location – CC0 Licence

Expanding your business is always going to be an exciting time for your company, but you’ve got to be sure that you are doing this the right way. There is no use expanding if it is not necessary, or it is not going to benefit your company in any way. That is why we have written this article, though, to give you some advice on expanding your business the right way, so if you want to know more, keep reading.

Hire More Staff

How many employees do you have working for you right now? If you expand, are you going to have enough to cover the extra demand? Likely, the answer is going to be no, which means you are going to need to hire some more staff sooner rather than later. Make sure that you aren’t just hiring anyone, though, because you don’t want to have people who aren’t contributing effectively to your company. Go through all of your applicants, pick out the ones who have experience in the role you are looking to fill, call them in for an interview and see what they can offer your business.

When you are expanding, it’s not just about getting more people to fill in the jobs, it has got to be the right people. You don’t want to hire someone who has no idea what they are doing and aren’t pulling their weight. So, be careful with who you select, but make sure you hire more people.

Look At Your Suppliers

The next thing that you have got to do is look at your suppliers. Where are you sourcing all of your stock from, and is there a more efficient way to do this? For example, you might be better off purchasing your stock from China, and in this scenario, you have got to look at how to find a China sourcing agent. There are plenty of ways that you can do this, so just make sure you do your research and find the one that suits you best.

Or, it might be the case that your current supplier is able to offer you a good deal. If this is the case, then you aren’t going to need to go anywhere else to source your products. At the end of the day, it is all about doing what is best for your business.

Think About The Cost

Is the cost of expanding going to hurt your business? In the beginning, you are going to have to put money in if you want to take it out, and that’s just a fact. You’ve got to be willing to put that money into your business to expand it, thinking that you will make a profit soon. If this doesn’t sound like the case for you, then expanding your business probably isn’t the right idea, and you might want to wait a little while.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now know how to expand your business the right way and some of the things you need to think about.

Does Your Retail Store Need Security?

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. I key concern for any business is its security. Tightening up the security of your business can increase the likelihood of its continued operations in addition to continued profits. The following contributed post is entitled, Does Your Retail Store Need Security.

* * *

As a customer, you might have been into shops that have abundant security. They might have security guards at the door and wandering around the store as well as tags on clothing and CCTV cameras. You might have wondered why the owners were bothering to throw so much money into security. Surely it can’t be worth it, just to stop a little shoplifting?

If you own a retail store of your own, you should certainly consider upgrading your security to the same levels. Let’s take a look at why.

Image – CC0 Licence

Keep Your Stock Safe and Avoid Loss

Shoplifting might only be a small problem. But, over time, that problem can grow. Every time you lose stock, you lose money. While big businesses might be able to cope with a little loss here and there, if you run a small company, during a quieter period, this can make a world of difference.

Increase Staff Comfort

Even if you aren’t concerned about a little shoplifting, what about the safety of yourself, your customers, and especially your staff, who will most often be the ones on the front line, confronting any shoplifters or other signs of criminal activity? Hiring a security team, as well as installing other security devices, can help them to feel more safe and secure. It can improve staff morale, increase loyalty and decrease staff turnover. This could save you money, and help you to create a happier, well-run workplace.

Decrease Other Threats

Image – CC0 Licence

Shoplifting isn’t the only threat that your business could face. Other criminal activity in the area could affect your reputation and the footfall in your area. Having security in, and around your store will decrease these threats.

Helps You to Build a Reputation

Every time someone successfully steals something from your store, they see it as a win, and you start to become known as an easy target. Shoplifters begin to sell your stock on cheaply, and you begin to get a reputation as a cheap store, as well as one that is easy to steal from. The shoplifters return, bringing criminal friends with them. Your customers might not if they hear they can get your good cheaper elsewhere.

Improved Customer Service

Getting a Security Company in could even improve customer service. If you have the same guards in store all of the time, they’ll become part of the team even if you don’t employ them directly. They’ll develop relationships with your customers, and help you to offer excellent customer service.

Customer service will also be improved because your staff will have more time to interact with customers, knowing that other threats are taken care of.

Security Options

Security staff are an excellent option. Having someone in your store full time, or at least during busier periods where your staff might be less vigilant, or less able to watch all areas of the shop, can be exceptionally effective at improving safety and decreasing crime. Alternatively, if you are based in a small shopping area, you might want to work with other businesses to share a security team. CCTV, tags and alarms are also worthwhile.

4 Tips For Businesses Throwing a Fundraiser

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. There are any number of reasons for your business to throw a fundraiser. Fundraisers are good ways to raise awareness of issues and help those in need. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Tips For Businesses Throwing a Fundraiser.

* * *

Entrepreneurship is a great way to take your career in your own hands and make a living for yourself on your own terms. It’s also an opportunity to rewrite the rules and work towards a better, more equitable and more sustainable form of capitalism. Business owners get to shape the economy and reverse the fundamental inequalities like wage repression, racial inequality and gender pay gaps that are still sadly rife in the world of business. It’s also a great opportunity to use your brand to do good for charitable causes in ways that might not be possible for you as an individual.

Image by Drew Rae via Pexels

When you throw fundraising events as part of your business operations, it can be hugely beneficial for you and your cause. It can demonstrate your sense of Corporate Social Responsibility to your local community and the world at large. It can also be a huge morale booster for employees and help them feel that they are a part of something special.

Here are some tips to help you throw a fundraiser for the ages…

Choose a cause that resonates

While the choice of cause is, of course, up to you, you’ll find that you have more success with a cause that resonates with your community and your workforce. If you have a number of causes that matter to you personally, you might benefit from holding a poll on your social media feed and encouraging your employees and / or customers to vote for the one that matters the most to them.

Add a touch of class

A fundraiser is all about the cause… but it’s also about finding ways to add value to your brand. Thus, any effort you make to add class and prestige to your brand should be embraced. Whether you choose to throw a chic cocktail party, a lavish charity ball or even get in touch with casino equipment suppliers to help people game their way to charitable giving is up to you. But adding a touch of class will add to the sense of occasion and elevate your brand.

Build awareness and hype through your content marketing

With so many causes worthy of our attention it can be hard to get people to consider donating to your cause at the expense of all others. However, your content marketing allows you a valuable storytelling opportunity to help your cause better resonate with your following. Focus on the personal stories of the people you’re trying to help and focus on the good that people’s donations will do.

People are likely to be all the more generous when they know for sure that their donation will make a tangible difference.

Make donations easy and accessible

However you choose to hold your fundraiser, it’s imperative to make it easy for people to donate, whether they attend or not. As well as taking cash donations at the door, you should also make it easy to pay through Paypal or contactless payment via their credit card, debit card or mobile device.

Get it right, and you’ll be able to do some good for a worthy cause while also increasing your business’ ethical standing.

Getting Started On Your Entrepreneurial Journey

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. One of the most exciting and fulfilling anyone can do is set off on their own and become a business owner. While it has potential perils, it also has potential rewards. The following contributed post is entitled, Getting Started On Your Entrepreneurial Journey.

* * *

If the arrival of a new year has prompted you to think about changing career or given you the confidence to think about setting up your own business, you might be experiencing a mixture of emotions. Going it alone can be daunting, but it’s also a hugely exciting proposition. If you’re preparing to take your first foray into the world of entrepreneurialism, here are some steps to take today.

Image credit https://pixabay.com/photos/office-business-accountant-620822/

Figure out what you want to do
If you want to become your own boss, the options are endless, but some avenues may be much better suited to you than others. Some people will go into the process of thinking about setting up a business knowing exactly what they want to do, while others will be exploring different possibilities and conjuring up ideas. If you haven’t already got a set idea in mind, it’s beneficial to focus on your skills and talents, to use your experience and to indulge passions and interests. You can utilize transferable skills to get started with something you already have knowledge and understanding of, for example, providing consulting services or tutoring or mentoring, or you could undertake additional training to offer something different. Training is also incredibly beneficial for learning how to run a business effectively and efficiently. If you’re used to pitching to buyers, teaching kids or providing massage therapy, for example, you might not be au fait with managing books and filing tax returns.

Consider your options
There are various options open to you when it comes to being your own boss. You could go freelance, set up your own business or take over a franchise. If you have experience in accounting or you’ve managed your own tax returns for a long time, for example, you could learn how to open a tax office. If you’re a caterer by trade, you could investigate the possibility of managing your own restaurant or cafe franchise. Alternatively, if you want total control, establishing your own venture may be a more appealing prospect. If this is the route you’re keen to go down, and you’ve found your niche, the next step is to draw up a thorough business plan, secure the finances you need and research the market. For those who are eager to try freelancing, it’s important to establish and make use of contact networks and to take steps to get your name out there. Market your services using professional social media platforms, email marketing and SEO. It’s also a great idea to drop flyers through doors if you’re looking to attract a local audience.

Research
Research is vital when setting up a new business, switching to self-employment or taking over the reins of an existing venture. Get to know your market, define your ideal customer, analyze the competition and use the information you gather to market your business, establish price points and create an impactful USP.

If you’ve decided to go it alone, and you’re ready to start your entrepreneurial journey, hopefully, this guide will point you in the right direction.