Starting a new business means you don't have your business foundation completed yet. At first you need to get clients - any clients. These are called stepping-stone clients. They are what will bring in your early revenue. You also need to start acquiring positive business testimonials. Again, you need steppingstone clients for this.
Six months after starting a new business is when you can start to get more selective. Earlier than that your accounts will typically be smaller than you would like. That's ok because you need to be confident that when you are starting a new business these smaller clients will eventually be replaced by your ideal, sweet-spot clients.
Types of work to expect when starting a new business include:
LAN audits
MCSC tutoring
Training seminars
Small peer to peer jobs
Upgrades
PC tune-ups
Light web site design
Optimization and troubleshooting
When you're starting a new business your personal and business network are critical. These contacts will be the ones who will refer you to small jobs. As you complete these small jobs word will spread about your services. Not long after starting a new business and finishing these types jobs, more referral business will start flowing in.
Bottom Line on Starting A New Business
You can't afford to ignore any business when starting a new business. You also can't get discouraged. Starting a new business is an exercise in patience and diligence. You never know where one of your small jobs might lead you. There is lots of time to be selective with your clients - starting a new business is not the time.
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Starting A New Business Checklist
Here are some tips for getting the word out:
You should have at least 50 people on your contact list. These are the people you are going to let know that you are starting a new business.
Start with family members outside of your immediate family - brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, nephews, in-laws, cousin in-laws, sister-in-laws.
The next set of people who should know you are starting a new business are your immediate circle of friends - friends, neighbors, the parents of your kids' friends, your parent's friends.
Now think about where you spend your money. The people you do business with should know you are starting a new business - hopefully they will return the favor. Take out your credit card statements and bank statements. Look at all the people you send money to on a personal basis every month.
Accountants
Attorneys
Cleaning services
Babysitters
Contractors
Doctors
Dentists
Stock brokers
Hairdressers
Repair persons
Insurance agents
Tutors and instructors
Veterinarians
Your list will be more extensive, but this is a start to the number of people you need to tell you are starting a new business.
When you do business with companies where you have direct contact with an owner, manager or decision-maker, make sure you tell these people personally that you are starting up a business. Visit them, call them, or send them an email at the absolute minimum.
Every time you pay a bill to a local company, enclose a business card with the check. What better and efficient way to let people know you are starting a new business?
When you receive phone solicitations don't dismiss the caller. Tell him/her that you don't need their services right now but you will hold onto their information. Then proceed to tell them that you are starting a new business and ask for a referral.
Bottom Line on Starting A New Business
When you are starting a new business you need to shout it from the rooftops. Think of everyone you know and start telling them. Be creative in your approaches and take every opportunity you can think of to tell people about your new business.
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