My Family Doesn't Take Me Seriously! Written by Chuck and Sue DeFiore
I can't tell you how many times I hear from working mom's that people don't take their home based business seriously. Unfortunately, when I ask them how they react, they don't have real definitive answers for me. Remember, unless you take your own business seriously, no one else will. You must establish working hours, rules that family members must follow, and rules you must follow. I know, you started your business so you could be your own boss, work when you want, spend more time with your family, have more flex time. Yes, you can have these things, but you also have to make decisions regarding your business. If your business is secondary to all of other things, then just like everyone else you are not taking your own business seriously, so why should anyone else. Your business has to be first priority, not your house, your yard, your cooking and cleaning, your kids and/or family. I am not saying your family is not important, they are; but you must make them realize that what you do as a business person is important, and that you need your time and space to do this.
| | How To Get New Business Written by Chuck and Sue DeFiore
Market, Market and then market some more. So many small and home-business owners do what we call spot marketing. They market hard for their business, get a response then stop marketing. Marketing must be an ongoing process. Let's repeat that...Marketing Must Be An On Going Process. In addition, you should have multiple marketing strategies. For example, we market on internet through newsgroups, newsletters, press releases, forums, writing articles. We also market by running support groups, joining local groups and chambers, and being active and getting involved in community. We give out our brochures and business cards. Your cards and brochures are not going to do you any good sitting in your files. We send out follow-up information for every cold call we make and speak to someone. While we might not do business with them now, we might down road. However, we certainly won't hear from them, if they don't get something from us. The following happened during a teleclass we sat in on: One of other participants asked about getting customers for interior design work. She had a brochure with her services, and would give a free consultation to her clients. However, she wasn't turning those into sales. A couple of things we suggested were to 1) put pictures in her brochure of before and afters for homes she did; 2) offer to re-do a small area of their home for half price, so they could get an idea of her work. She loved ideas, and thought they would work marvelously for her. Remember, you won't get business, if you don't ask for it. Along with marketing you have to also be a salesperson. You have to ask for sale. You don't have to be obnoxious about it, in fact, if you are, you probably won't get it at all. As most of you know, we never push anyone to order or do something with us, it's up to them. We want our customers to make an informed decision, and for it to be win-win for everyone, and that is how we conduct our business. You should also. However, realize that for certain businesses a stronger approach might be necessary.
|
