Keep and get a receipt for everything you spend Get a list going of everyone you meet and categorize them. It's amazing how many people I have connected with down the line, even years after. Put your materials out, in every facet possible, and don't expect much back. After continual putting it out, years, they start to find you.
One of the greatest pieces of advise I was given before I started and still carry with me to this day, 45+ yrs later. "If I am getting into this business to make money, I am in the wrong business. It is never about how much you make, but how much you give back to your community and mankind." (Robert Smith aka Wolfman Jack).
Being self employed is really great until tax time! So my advice is keep good records, everything that is tax deductible helps you at tax time. You will be surprised that so many purchases are tax deductible. Even if you use an accountant, they can’t help you unless you have receipts and proof of expenditures!
Business from Loop Chicago, IL
Answered on Jul 26th, 2018
Two most valuable tips:
Don't put off being "pleasantly persistent" with getting paid. Accountants will tell you that the odds of getting paid when invoices age to 90-days drops dramatically, plummeting almost to zero after 6 months.
Whatever sales and marketing plan you use to get business (mailers, other advertising, networking, etc.) the key is to keep an even keel time-wise no matter the ups and downs of actual sales. So don't overwork yourself when times are bad, and don't put those activities off when things are going well. It is all about establishing a steady sales pipeline. When things are bad, use the extra time to better yourself, classes, volunteer work in your profession, etc.
Just because you are in charge of your work, doesn't mean that you shouldn't treat it as you would by going to clock in somewhere. Treat it as your JOB PERIOD>
Plant seeds. Not every seed you plant will take, so plant a lot of seeds. Be patient. Sometimes it takes a long time for a particular flower to grow. Also, work really hard.
Start as you mean to go forward. Organize yourself; get the appropriate licenses, education, and training, set up your business system of accounting and organization, obtain the necessary permits, prepare your necessary marketing materials; i.e., business cards, letterhead, website and social media accounts. The more your structure is in place, the easier it is to present yourself and launch your product or service.
Just as you grow and develop your business, you should be growing and developing yourself. I have noticed that as I work on personal development my income and clients increase. So do the referrals.
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Answers (1-10)
Great question! Here are my Top 5!
5. Take care of your body and your mind! If they don't work you can't work!
4. Choose your friends and colleagues carefully. Not all of them will be able to make the journey with you!
3. Plan all the way to the end! Know what you want your success to look and feel like!
2. Act! All the planning in the world doesn't mean a thing if it stays on paper or in your head!
1. Remember, you are in business to make money. If you are not making money...it's a hobby!
Keep and get a receipt for everything you spend Get a list going of everyone you meet and categorize them. It's amazing how many people I have connected with down the line, even years after. Put your materials out, in every facet possible, and don't expect much back. After continual putting it out, years, they start to find you.
Thank you notes -- really important.
One of the greatest pieces of advise I was given before I started and still carry with me to this day, 45+ yrs later. "If I am getting into this business to make money, I am in the wrong business. It is never about how much you make, but how much you give back to your community and mankind." (Robert Smith aka Wolfman Jack).
Being self employed is really great until tax time! So my advice is keep good records, everything that is tax deductible helps you at tax time. You will be surprised that so many purchases are tax deductible. Even if you use an accountant, they can’t help you unless you have receipts and proof of expenditures!
Two most valuable tips:
Be you. Don't try to copy someone else. Be the best you and build relationships with your customers.
Just because you are in charge of your work, doesn't mean that you shouldn't treat it as you would by going to clock in somewhere. Treat it as your JOB PERIOD>
Plant seeds. Not every seed you plant will take, so plant a lot of seeds. Be patient. Sometimes it takes a long time for a particular flower to grow. Also, work really hard.
Start as you mean to go forward. Organize yourself; get the appropriate licenses, education, and training, set up your business system of accounting and organization, obtain the necessary permits, prepare your necessary marketing materials; i.e., business cards, letterhead, website and social media accounts. The more your structure is in place, the easier it is to present yourself and launch your product or service.