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5 Things Home Business Owners Must Have

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Cup Coffee Newspaper Tablet Hands PhoneRunning a home business can be one of the most prosperous activities one chooses in life.

The idea of being independent of an employer, the ability to set one’s own schedule, avoiding long commutes to and from work, those are but a few of the different perks of working from home. With those perks do come some challenges, challenges that can get the best of an individual if they are not careful.

In order to make the home business a success, one must make sure they have all the proper tools and resources at their disposal.

So, if you’re running a business out of your home, how prepared are you for the daily tasks that come your way?

Speed Ahead with the Proper Tools and Resources

If your home business seems to be struggling, is it because you do not have all the tools and resources at your ready? In the event that’s the case, use the remaining weeks of 2016 as an opportunity to reorganize your business, allowing you to be ready to go for 2017.

Among the 5 items you should definitely have:

  1. Proper Internet – Can you imagine trying to run a home business with dial-up Internet service? Well, countless people did that for a number of years until technology made high-speed Internet for home an option. With that option in your home, you can not only work with clients at a much faster pace, but you can also order supplies, handle your accounting needs, research trends in the industry you work in and much more. If your current Internet service provider is leaving you falling asleep at the wheel (your computer), search for a provider where high-speed Internet and all it offers is a priority;
  2. Accounting software – Unlike a corporate job where you can count on your employer to pay you (typically ever two weeks or once a month), being your own boss also means running the accounting department. As a result, you must have top-notch accounting software at your disposal. This is crucial for not only invoicing clients but also for keeping tabs on your expenses (ordering supplies, doing year-end taxes etc.). Try out a number of different software products until you find the one that will best suit your needs;
  3. Headsets – Even if you don’t have kids or animals in the home, it can be rather easy to become distracted while running your business. Everything from the neighbors to nearby traffic (depending of course where you live) can get to you. Make sure you have the right headset to focus on your work, specifically when talking to clients. Not only will it keep you calmer, it allows you to be more professional when talking business with others on the phone or computer;
  4. Business cards – Although many businesses (including a number of home business owners) have gotten away from the traditional business card, don’t take the bait and make the same mistake. You’re best suited to buy business cards in bulk, thereby avoiding having to place orders over and over again. Use the cards at each and every opportunity you get, notably if attending trade shows, local fundraisers in the community etc. That little card could end up turning into one of your most beneficial resources when all is said and done;
  5. Mobile devices – Whether it is a simple cell phone or a mobile tablet, much of today’s business is done over the Internet. That being the case, make sure you are properly outfitted with the best mobile devices when away from home. No, you don’t want to spend what little vacation time you have working, but having the right mobile resources when away from home is important. If there is an “emergency” so to speak with a client, you can check on it from anywhere and hopefully resolve the problem. If you’re running an online store etc. for your home business, make sure it is optimized to meet consumer needs. Those needs are more and more consumers are shopping and ultimately buying goods and services on the run. If you can’t meet their needs, you can all but be guaranteed another home business owner will.

Even if your home business is proceeding along with no major red flags to see, take some time to review your tools and resources.

You might just find that one or more things are in fact lacking, items that could mean the difference between great business and so-so business.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Working From Home without the Distractions

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woman-working-homeWho doesn’t dream of working in their pajamas at some point?

With the plethora of jobs these days that you can do at home, it’s not so unheard of.

Even if only part of your time is spent at home, many jobs offer the opportunity to do some or all of your work at home, and of course, there are the ones where you, yourself, are your very own boss.

Some Jobs Where You Can Work From Home

Not every job translates well to working from home, but you may be surprised at how many do.

Here are a few jobs that you can do in your pajamas:

  • Postsecondary or Virtual Teacher – If you have teaching in your background, think about being a virtual teacher. Whether it’s for postsecondary education or middle or high, there’s a demand for virtual teachers, even home school ones, and yes, you could work in your pj’s.
  • Writer or Editor – Whether freelance or working for someone in particular, there is a lot of work out there for writers or editors. You can be a guest blogger, newsletter editor, contributing writer … the list goes on. The more you get yourself out there, the more you’ll get noticed.
  • Transcriptionist – There’s a big demand here for medical transcriptionists. Other fields, like law, need transcriptionists as well, and this can be done easily at home.
  • Online reseller – You may or may not be able to make a living off of reselling, but working selling on sites such as eBay can bring in a lot of extra income. You’d be surprised what you can find around your own home, garage sales and thrift stores.

Be Your Own Boss

Maybe you don’t want to work for someone else, so think about being your own boss.

If you have specific skills, ranging from writing to decorating to a law degree, you can definitely work from home.

Sure, you may have to have a meeting every so often, but the majority of work can be done. Don’t discount the possibility of being your own boss at home.

Avoid the Distractions

A key to being successful at working from home is to avoid the distractions. Hmmm, you think, maybe easier said than done.

Here are a few tips for getting your work done sans distractions:

• Have a set area to work, and only work.

• Have set times to work. Sure, you may need to adjust them as needed, but don’t overlook the art of scheduling.

• Let the phone ring. If it’s your personal one, that is, and leave your personal email and Facebook page alone, too. Focus on work when you’re working and then you’ll have time for the other things, too.

• Maybe every so often, step into real clothes instead of your pajamas. If you have an important call or virtual meeting, brush your hair and put on some work clothes. It may inspire you to be more professional.

Though it may take some creativity, discipline and structure – you can probably find a way to work from home, at least some of the time.

Please share any tips and insight you have on this concept.

Photo credit: socialmoms.com

About the Author: Heather Legg is a work from home writer who covers topics on small business, social media, education and mindful living.

Is Having Clients at Your Home for Business a Wise Move?

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You finally have your small business up and running. And it’s in your home. How do you have clients come to see you? What do you need to think about?

Many small business owners can’t afford office space, or really don’t need it, so they work from home.

A lot of questions arise about meetings in the home, so here are some of them with their answers:

1.    Do I need a separate entrance?

Ideally yes, but that’s not always possible in the real world. If you have a separate entrance, you will come off as more professional than if a client comes into your home filled with your personal life. But if it’s not possible, just make sure you have any area clean of clutter (even if you stuff it all in a cabinet), pets are put away and no one will bother you during your meeting. If your office is upstairs or somewhere else in the home where you’d need to walk through much of it, have your meeting in the dining room or another neutral area more easily accessible in your home.

2.    Should I tell my client beforehand or will that make me look bad?

Many people say they drive up to a house for a meeting and think they have the wrong address. Be upfront and let your client know you work from home and that is where you’ll be meeting.

3.    What if my client hurts him or herself in my home?

This is a tricky one. If your client slips and falls or your dog bites him, you’re legally responsible. The smartest thing you can do is have insurance to cover this. If you don’t and something happens, it can turn into something pretty big and bad.

4.    Should I just meet at a coffee shop or somewhere else instead?

Sure, some people who home office have off site meetings. It depends a lot on what you do. If you need to look at material that takes up space, your home is probably better. At home you can avoid distractions that may be found elsewhere. You also have all your materials and don’t have to lug anything around. But if you have kids or pets at home, or another working adult, it may be too distracting and you should think about another spot.

5.    Are there any other little tips I should know?

Yes.

• Dress professionally. Maybe you work most of the time in sweats, but remember you’re meeting with a client, put on your work clothes.

• Try to avoid any household smells like last night’s dinner or your golden retriever. You can use a candle or other air fresheners; just make sure nothing is too strong or offensive.

• Oh, always make sure the bathroom is clean!

Many people work from home and as long as you keep it professional and let your client know up front, you should be fine.

If you run your small business from home, do you allow clients to come by? If so, what have your experiences in such cases been like?

 

Photo credit: thesmarterwallet.com

About the Author: Heather Legg is a writer who covers topics related to small business, social media and personal finance.