For millions of Americans, going to work every day loses its luster after a while. In fact, according to Gallup Polls, 87 percent of employees around the world are not engaged at work. That’s not good for a company’s culture or productivity, but it can also be detrimental for the individual. After all, it’s hard to feel fulfilled if you are doing the bare minimum to stay employed.
Whether you’ve suffered a setback in your career or you’ve simply realized that your career just isn’t what you’d hoped it would be, starting your own business may be a good solution. And while starting your own business may seem like a huge leap of faith, it doesn’t have to be. Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to become one of the (at least) 14.6 million people in the United States who are self-employed.
The key is to start with a solid plan. Knowing how to find clients and how to advertise your services will help you get a good headstart on your new business and prevent quite a bit of stress down the road. It will also be imperative to come up with a good plan to stay motivated. Since working for yourself means there’s no one around to do those things for you, you’ll need to define your own mission statement and plan to execute it. You’ll also need to prioritize self-care in the form of sleep, rewards, social time, and personal development. Otherwise, being your own boss can become all-consuming, even unhealthy.
Keep reading for some tips on how to start your own home-based business.
Figure Out Your Preferred Schedule
When you’re working for yourself, it’s incredibly important to make sure you have a schedule. Many people find they need something flexible if they’re going to keep a day job or if they have families, which requires careful planning. This will also help you decide what sort of business you want to pursue, since some are more flexible than others.
Stay Productive
It can be difficult to stay productive when you’re working for yourself, especially if you work from home. Finding a quiet place in the house to get work done is imperative, so set up your desk in an area that is away from the normal traffic flow, and set rules with your family members about your time there. If possible, find a time to work when you feel most energized, whether that’s in the morning or late at night. Don’t forget to take breaks and make yourself comfortable so you can stay motivated while you’re getting things done.
Advertise
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to advertise your services or business. These days, many people find that it’s enough just to have a great social media presence. Maintain pages on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter, and share solid content every day in order to engage with potential customers and to get shares and new followers. Many social media pages now offer the option to pay for sponsored ads, which are a much more cost-effective marketing choice when you are on a budget.
Find the Best Tools
With so many people working for themselves or working remotely these days, there are now tons of tools available online that will help you maintain your business and grow it successfully. Whether you want to find the best spots for WiFi when you need to work outside the house or figure out the most effective way to send large files, there are sites and apps that have you covered. When you need help accomplishing tasks you don’t have time to do yourself or that are outside of your skillset, you can turn to services like Fiverr and PeoplePerHour to get the help you need from freelancers.
Creating your own home-based business takes time, so try to stay patient as you go through the process. Do your research so you’ll be well informed about your competition, your options, and your potential allies as you move forward. With a good plan, you’ll be able to grow your business in no time.
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