3 Job Ideas For The Chic Home-Based Entrepreneur... Advice Number 29 Of 282
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If the product that you are selling to individuals is also something that you can sell on the wholesale market, do an Internet search for wholesale businesses that handle your type of product. Email these businesses and offer to send them free samples. If they like what you send them, and you can be competitive on price and delivery, they will buy from you. This may well be an additional market that you can tap into.
If you have a home based business, set up a place in your home that is just for that purpose. Don't try to do your work in your personal space. Having a place for work only will keep you more organized and discourage that "always working" feel for you and your family.
To get the maximum business deductions when tax time rolls around, consult an accountant. Make sure you have this information before beginning your business so you can track the expenses. For example, workspace in your home that is solely used for your business is a potential tax write-off.
Find a local group focused on home business ownership. Join that group and participate in its activities. This gives you a network of contacts outside the home to interact with, plus a pool of potential contacts or resources if you need advice or support. Often these groups feature speakers or events built around home business considerations. So, the time investment is well worth it!
Take great pictures to increase sales. Nothing is more disappointing to customers than cruising the Internet for something to buy and stumbling across a product that sounds great but has a bad or non-existent picture. Let customers see what they are buying by displaying quality photographs on your website of all the products that you offer. Take multiple pictures to show different views when necessary.
Be prepared to describe your business in a nutshell. To retain the attention of customers, keep your description clear and concise. Within this soundbite is also the base for your business slogan. After all, everything important about the business is in the soundbite.
Set clear boundaries when it comes to visits from friends and family during your work hours. If friends or family members constantly pop in and interrupt your work, it is important to let them know that you are busy. You may need to shut your phone off, or stop answering the door to get the point across.
Looking as professional as possible is always good business advice. Nothing will drive customers away quicker than having a web site that looks unprofessional. Take some time to study how other home businesses set up their web pages to give you some ideas.
Keep a mileage log for your business driving. With a home business, you might find yourself driving to meet clients or suppliers, delivering orders or traveling to boutiques and trade shows. The IRS allows a write-off for business mileage, at about 34 cents per mile. That adds up! Check IRS.gov for the current year mileage allowance.
Make sure you keep accurate records of all your home business activity. It's easy to put off pesky record-keeping tasks till you feel like doing them, but strive to keep everything pertaining to your business up-to-date so that you won't be confused and stressed out later on.
Make sure your family understands that you are working. Many home based business owners have families who ask them to run errands, without being aware that working at home is still working. Have a talk with them about what you are doing and what kind of support they can give you. You'll have a smoother day when you can work in peace.
Install a separate phone line for your business calls. This way, you can be sure your business calls are handled in a professional manner. Make sure others in your home don't answer your business phone unless it is done in a professional fashion. You should also set up a voicemail on your business line.
To protect yourself from an audit keep excellent records. Office supplies and mileage can be written off at tax time, but be sure to keep receipts. Invest in a file cabinet to organize hard copies or scan receipts onto your computer. If you keep detailed records it will be easy for you to face an audit.
Make sure you keep your messages to your clients at a reasonable level so that you give them the information they need to know but do not overload them. Feature options such as newsletters or optional e-mail alerts, if your business is content rich or you offer frequent discounts or specials. Do not go overboard with communicating too often.
Make sure to set daily goals and do your best to stick with them. The most important part of that is prioritizing things so that they get done efficiently. Do not waste too much time on small tasks when there are much more important things that need to be done.
Do plenty of research and read books on tax laws for home business owners. Find out what tax credits you may qualify for, what you can use as a write off in your business, llcbuddy and other things related to running a business out of your home. The less tax liability you have the better!
