Solo Professionals Ideas

Everyday there are decisions on whether you will buy this or pay for that. How do you make decisions such as, "should I rebuild my website, '" or " should I hire an assistant?" Is the answer based on fear of not having enough money or is it based on a clear vision of your business and a business plan that maps out how and what needs to happen to allow your business to grow? Small business owners are notorious for making decisions for their business based on cash flow.

One of my clients recently said, "It is all a risk. How do I know if this new idea is worth funding?" What's true is that if you didn't want any risk you would still have a job that pays you a steady and consistent paycheck. You would know exactly how much you would get every two weeks. In a small business it is different. In order to minimize the risk, you make projections based on a plan. The plan is based on a vision and a map of where you want to go and how you plan to get there. Once you know your plan, there are certain things you have to spend money on in order to make it happen. Hiring people to help you, setting up an e-commerce website or joining a networking group are all things that could help move your business forward if you do your homework and are willing to take the risk now for the benefit later.

A woman I worked with last year gave up her steady corporate paycheck, put out a shingle for her new consulting business and expected money to begin rolling in right away. She didn't want to borrow any money so the stress began around how to get more clients. Poor decisions then followed around spending money on her business. She didn't want to spend any money until she was earning more. It's the chicken or the egg thing. She decided to not join the chamber, not take a small business seminar and not build a better website. This is a trap that many self employed people fall into. It could be that the new website or seminar is exactly what she needed to help grow her business but her fear took over.

Answer these few questions as a self assessment. There are no right answers. It is only for self awareness.

1. Is your main focus on attracting more clients or is on setting up systems that will make your business more sustainable?

2. Are your money decisions based on cash flow or your business plan?

3. If you could instantly put more money into your business where would it go and why?

I have also seen many people begin a business and spend money incorrectly at first because of not having a clear plan and enough information. It is a fine balance but I have never heard of a successful new business that has not had to spend money first. Building your business is an investment whereas working for someone else is only a job.

Communication with your clients and prospects is one of the big keys to a solo-professional's success. One easy way to communicate with the people you most want to do business with -- without sounding like a sales pitch--is through asking questions.

Here's an experience I had with someone who got my business by asking questions:

Recently, I posted a question on a forum about technology which drew a lot of helpful responses, some to the group and some privately to me. One of those private responses included the exact information what I was looking for; I thanked her and a few days passed. When I hadn't contacted her, she followed up to see if I had any more questions. After talking with her further, I decided to purchase a product she offered. But the relationship didn't end there.

A few days after sending me my order, she called to follow up, and asked me if I received my order and was it working ok? It was. That communication was a nice bit of customer service through asking a question. Still, the relationship didn't end even there.

About a week after that, she sent me another message asking my opinion about something she is working on. (Hint: people love to give you their opinions!). During that conversation, she added a quick aside that went like this, "By the way, have you considered using an assistant for your scheduling needs?" That one question led me to want to learn more about her services. If she never asked I would not have considered it. In your business you have to ask, too.

Here are a few lessons you can learn from my experience with this excellent business person:

1. Follow up with prospects: When someone expresses an interest in what you offer, add that person to a "tickler file" to follow up with personally. A tickler file is what is known in the sales business as a simple way to manage your contacts. You can use your Outlook program, purchase a contact management system, or simply use an old-fashioned hand-written calendar. But set up a way to follow up with those who expressed an interest. Ask, "Can I help you with anything else?"

2. Follow up with current customers: When someone does business with you, ask them about your product or service. If it's something you sent via mail, ask if they received it ok. If you deliver digital products, ask if the link worked for them. Ask, "How else can I help you?" You may be surprised at how many people tell you what other areas they need help with.

3. Follow up with past clients: Want to know the fastest way to get more business? Ask those who purchased from you in the past. These people are already familiar with the quality of your work. If you personally contact them regularly via phone or email, you'll automatically boost your bottom line. It's all about timing. When you call, express an interest in them as a person. Use your tickler system to record personal and business-related details such as birthdays, family notes, and work anniversaries. Ask, "How are you?" And LISTEN to the answer. Then ask, "What projects are you working on now?" "What is coming up soon for you?" And finally, "How can I help you?"

Asking questions is a powerful way to get new business, keep your current clients happy, and generate business from your past clients and customers through effective communication.

Twenty years from now business will not resemble what it does today, no more than today resembles business of twenty years ago.

The generations before us only dreamed of being able to work from home; doing so was only for those who had reign enough to do as they pleased.

In the working world today, working at home has not only become a question asked from opened conversations, but also an option that many search for on applications.

Work at home offers is everywhere. They slam your email box and even your physical mailbox. Even though there are many legitimate businesses around, sadly there are just as many scams.

Unless you are well educated about a company's reputation, make sure you do enough research: check with the Better Business Bureau, company licenses, etc... For as many legitimate companies that are out there, there are several con artists trying to defraud good people out of their money and personal information. Never give out any personal information, or run downloads unless you have thoroughly investigated.

Now since we have all the safety and security issues taken care of, let us discuss the type of businesses, which look to be good opportunities.

Computer - Writing applications, website design, circuit board repair, etc... is a safe bet. All businesses rely on the computer greatly for every aspect of their business. Decide what you enjoy doing and what you are best at doing. There will always be a need for people to write programs on the computer, or repair computers.

Software- Most people love discovering new software for the things they enjoy doing; whether it is business, home or hobby related. The possibilities are endless. Take for example the Microsoft Works Program- WOW! They have everything and anything you need to keep organized: from journaling for home and office, to card making, brochures, fax, letters, newsletters, etc... They have tons of templates readily available for your use- all you need to do is add the information. They also have direct links for sites on the internet for all aspects of plans you need to arrange a vacation or business trip. Once you are on the trip, travel journals are readily available for notes and memories you want to keep. Microsoft Works has far more activities ready for your input- if you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to! I know you will be pleasantly surprised. This will also give you any suggestions for software ideas, which is never-ending.

Medical Transcription- This is just one of the companies where working at home or in the office is totally up to you. If you are going to school, but you would still like an option to work-at-home, research the top jobs with positions available.

There are many benefits to working at home, which are all obvious; but you do need to consider the cons of working from home. Many times, we meet many of our friends and social contacts from work, especially if you are not involved in church and church related activities, or other social groups. Mingling with others is important to our socio-makeup. We need interaction with others- both the good and the bad. Even stressful situations with others outside of our family are important to our character, and helping us to learn how to deal with life-coping skills. If you do decide to work from home, make sure that you are involved with others through another social outlet; it is important for us mentally and physically.

Towards the end of December, 2007:

1. Buy a 2008 calendar and planner (if you use one).

2. Get a new checkbook register for each bank account for 2008.

3. Buy more hanging folders and file folders so you can archive 2007 info. and start 2008 files.

4. Buy additional office equipment and supplies - to increase your 2007 deductions (if you have your own business).

5. Make all charitable contributions for 2007.

On December 31, if possible:

1. Write down the mileage on your automobile odometer (if you use your auto for business and take a percentage of actual expenses).

In early January, 2008:

1. Create 3-5 goals for 2008 in areas such as Career, Finances, Relationships, Health, Spirituality, etc. Only choose goals that you are passionate about and that you intend to achieve in the new year.

2. Make a hanging file folder for "Taxes - 2007." Use this to keep all of your 1099's and W-2's and other tax information that will be arriving in January.

3. Set up new files for business income and expenses for 2008. Examples: "Cash Receipts, 2008," "Auto Mileage, 2008" etc.

4. Start a new check register for 2008 for each account.

5. Create other new financial files as needed.

6. Move all 2007 tax-related files, check registers and statements, paid bills and other financial information to one place (such as a file drawer) and make room for 2008 files.

Mid-January

1. Begin to organize your 2007 tax information. At a minimum, print out a 2007 summary (if your records are on your computer).

2. Prepare 1099-Misc. forms for subcontractors to whom you paid $600. or more in 2007 or give the information to your accountant so he/she can prepare the forms (due at the end of January).

3. Pay estimated taxes due January 15.

4. Set a date to begin compiling 2007 tax information for your tax preparer. (Note: The earlier you begin tax organizing, the more likely your preparer will have time to work with you and prepare your return before April 15. Usually clients who cannot get information to their accountants before March 15 will need to go on extension.)

Later

1. Purge old business and tax files. Check with your accountant to see how long you need to keep information. Usually six years is sufficient. You can also Google "record retention" and find the IRS regulations.

?Jerri N. Udelson, 2008

One of the most common business challenges I hear from my clients is usually some variation on the theme of Overwhelm.

- "How do I get it all done?"

- "How do I set priorities?"

- "I never feel like I'm 'done' with work and my family has had it!"

-"I work and work and work."

Does any of this resonate with you? Please know that you are not alone. Many of my clients and workshop participants struggle with feeling overwhelmed. Even I struggle with it sometimes (yes, coaches struggle, too) though it is not the way of life for me that it once was.

So that I could write an article that would speak to the heart of this matter, I looked up the word "overwhelm" in the dictionary. Here is the entry:

o?ver?whelm (vr-hwlm, -wlm)

tr.v. o?ver?whelmed, o?ver?whelm?ing, o?ver?whelms

1. To surge over and submerge; engulf

2. a. To defeat completely and decisively

b. To affect deeply in mind or emotion

3. To present with an excessive amount

4. To turn over; upset:

Well those are pretty yucky definitions! I couldn't choose just one of these because, to me anyway, at some time or another, overwhelm feels like any or all of the above. Surged over, defeated, affected deeply in mind and emotion, excessive amounts, upset - yeah that's overwhelm alright. So now the question is how to deal it. The solution is actually simple (remember simple and easy are not the same word!)

Just say "No".

Great, Sarah. Thanks for the advice - right? I'm serious. When I am feeling overwhelmed, it is usually because I have said or implied "Yes" to entirely too many things. And usually I've done this for one of two reasons 1)I have not chosen on the front end what is important and not important to me or 2) I am afraid that if I don't say "Yes" I might miss something.

These two reasons will keep you tangled up in overwhelm at every turn and if we don't build a strategy to deal with them, our lives will stay that way. So, what is a woman/wife/friend/girlfriend/mother/businesswoman/housekeeper/cook/chauffeur...you get the idea...to do?

Part of the problem is that our society tells us that we can have it all and do it all. We admire and lift up those who appear to have it all and do it all. Don't we all secretly envy those who are called "SuperWoman"? Here is the hard lesson I have learned: I can have it all and do it all - just not all at the same time. I have to choose what I want in my life and in my business. I have to choose what I am and am not willing to do. And yes, when I choose sometimes I make the wrong choice, but that is just life and my world won't end because of it.

When I consciously choose something, I can bring my best, most focused energy to it. When I consciously choose something, the distractions fall away (unless I'm looking for distractions, but that is another story) because I know what my priorities are. This is a far better approach than just reacting to whatever comes my way and treading water as fast as I can to keep from drowning in it.

Here is a quick exercise to help you make some proactive choices for your business and your life: Think about all the areas of your life that matter to you and write them down as categories. Home and Business are good places to start. Then choose 3 or 4 (more than that is too many) things you want in those categories. Be specific. Under "home" you might write "Have family night at home twice a month".

Once you get them written down, post them where you can see them. Then, when you are faced with overwhelm, check you list. What are you choosing? Is it something that is not on your list? If you want to keep it as a priority, are you willing to forfeit something that is on your list? If two things on your list come into conflict, which is a higher priority? If you had to choose between the two, which is more important?

If you quiet your spirit and listen, your heart will tell you what to say "Yes" to and that is what this whole article is about, right? Once you make your choices, teach yourself to say "No" to what doesn't matter so you can say "Yes" to those things that do. Your heart, mind and spirit (never mind your family and friends) will thank you for being present and focused and giving your best.

Private practice means so much more than just having an office and seeing patients by the hour. While this is the common thought many mental health professionals envision, the truth is that so much more potential exists for you.

Sadly, there are very common beliefs and themes that emerge in our profession.

Common beliefs:

As an elder now, my ancient watch to the story I want young people to watch for will involve that you pay attention. And, since I have daughters and grand daughters, to you young ladies in particular. An ex tenant of mine, and my grandson have both left the security of jobs at home to go make it richer in the oil sands of Alberta. My grandson left without picking up any ticket or skill, but as he has shown enthusiasm, he has risen in the ranks of laborers, supervises others, some older than him. He is now earning over $17.00 an hour with much overtime. My ex tenant, a beautiful young woman, caused me to burst into laughter when she told me, upon my asking, that the was a welder. She was earning well at the shipyards here, but apparently she charges out as a private contractor to a major giant at up to $50.00-$75.00 an hour in the oil fields, and she loves to stay that extra hour, come in on a holiday, earn that triple time.

She is the gorgeous lady in the hard hat at the coffee shop, and her authority over all those laborers makes her day. She will return, if she wishes, a rich lady. Married to the most gorgeous hunk of any of the shifts, if she desires, as long as he has skills above her: the cutest engineer, perhaps. Not a laborer who has not shown his own leadership ability. So, she is in charge of her life, and loving it. Who would not want to walk a mile in her moccasins. First you get your welding ticket, then you take Berlin. Or north to Edmonton. Which is where the boys are.

There has not been such as stampede for resources since the days of the Klondike, but this time it is best to check your watch, the era, and arrive as a skilled worker, rather than a donkey about to be tied to his wheel in the system. Yes, you will make big money. But. If you study the wide list of jobs available in this powerful, renewing energy sector as a serious look at career opportunities, you will find a city full of jobs and opportunities. In some sectors, work is now slowing down for lack of skilled workers. If you do not have the skills, set your watch, check the time, shop around for the tools you need. Or like the dinosaurs, you join the ancients. But you may need to stay right up to the mill second, so you may need to watch whether you see opportunity and act on it, or stay at the factory until it closes..

Do you enjoy planting trees, and making gardens grow? The new oil giants are having their arms so well twisted by world events, fears of riots in the oil fields by the natives, we natives on North America, as in Europe, are creating strict regulations that oil giants, for all their wailing of poverty, find themselves showing off their forced progress, a before and after scene of a messy goo area, goo extracted, new brilliant gardeners re work the remaining sand, and you have a park where before nothing lived for all the oil in the sands. So watch for it: get prepared: get there.

What is actually, slowly, late but happening as the oil sands get their oil extracted, is a park, where the deer and the antelope play. So, if we keep at it, that works. Then they may need some of the ladies to put down their shovels and help create a park. When only sticky now uninhabitable areas are used for human good, before we all have surf power and wind mills, of course. But right now, while we make that wind mill get me to the garden shop.

One of the first questions potential clients ask me when I first meet them (right after "Is your head really that round?" and "Why are you smiling like that? Cut it out. It's creepy.") is "What's your hourly rate?"

And they always get just a little bit stymied when I say "Err. I don't have one."

Because-except for in extreme cases-I don't work hourly, and in my not-so-humble opinion, neither should you.

Why?

Because working hourly-asking clients to pay you a set amount of money based on the amount of time it takes you to complete a task:
-Turns what you do into a simple commodity.
-Is kind of demeaning.
-Encourages dishonesty and distrust.
-Is patently unfair both to you and to the people who are paying you.
-And just don't make no sense.

Let's take these two at a time.

Turns what you do into a simple commodity and Is Kind of Demeaning

The vast bulk of Bizniks are talented and tough-minded professionals who provide a valuable service. These are bright, eager entrepreneurs trying to make their way in the world and to shake off the shame and horror of working for "dah man."

So it always shocks me when business folks new and old demean themselves and devalue what they do by working based on time. Why? Because if you say "I'm a designer who works for $X dollars per hour" you're basically saying that while your effort (the time you spend on the project) is worth something, the end result of what you provide (a beautiful and powerful design that will serve your client for years) has no actual value of its own.

Basically you're saying that your time is worth something, but your product is just another cheap and easily obtainable commodity.

Which is kind of ass backwards.

Now, personally I think this has a lot to do with the suffering mentality we Americans seem so addicted to. Work is HARD. Work is TOUGH. Work is NASTY and if I'm going to spend my TIME suffering like that, I'd better be PAID for it by gum!

And in a lot of ways, regular employees are indeed selling their suffering. The kid who slaves away at McDonalds isn't providing anything particularly valuable that couldn't be done by anyone with a 6th grade education level. A lot of employees (excluding executives and the like) are really just there to man the wheel.

And in that case, paying hourly makes perfect sense.

But as an entrepreneur, you aren't manning the wheel, you're providing a result.

Which we'll get to in a second, but for now let's move on.

Encourages Dishonesty and Is Patently Unfair to the people who are paying you

Ok. Disclosure time. Early on in my career, I had clients who insisted on paying me an hourly rate and I was too green to talk them out of it. Now, unfortunately I'm cursed with the ability to work really, really fast. I'm also good at what I do, so while another copywriter might take 10 hours to do this one job, I got it done in . . . err. . . 2 and did it really, really well.

And looking at the rent coming due, and looking at the fact that the client expected the job to take closer to 10 hours (and that in a lot of ways the client would value the work less if he knew it was done more quickly) I, um, lied.

Yup. I marked myself up. Or, possibly I just multiplied my hourly rate.

But either way, working at an hourly rate made it not just easy but attractive for me to be dishonest in a business dealing. I don't like lying. It makes my head hurt. It gives me lines.

But even if you're completely honest in your dealings, track every hour to the second and submit detailed time sheets for every gig, you're still being unfair to your clients. Why?

Because if you're charging hourly, you're basically telling your clients that they'll pay more if you @$%# it up.

If I knock a job out of the park and do it perfect the first time I'll get hourly rate X 5 hours.

But If I mess up, do a crappy job and have to go back and do a second, third or even fourth draft I'll get hourly rate x 10 hours (or 20 or 30.)

And suddenly my client's budget is blown right out of the water and I'm looking around for a new beach house.

Like I said, unfair.

Which brings me to my final point. If you're a business professional who delivers potent results, working hourly Just don't make no sense.

Let's try one of my wildly strange and shaky metaphors.

Imagine you just got back from the playa and your car is just CAKED in dirt. You're driving back into the city and you see two car washes right across from each other. One car wash has a big sign that says "Get Your Car Clean: $10."

The other car wash has a sign that says "Spend two minutes in our car wash: $10."

Which one are you likely to go to? Which one is offering you actual value.

Now personally, I'd go to the car wash that promises a result. If I went through that car wash (whether it would take 30 seconds or 5 minutes) and I came out the other side with a clean car, I'd pay my ten bucks with a smile (and if the car wasn't clean, I'd ask them to scrub a little harder until it was.) With this model, I've basically got one possible set of results:

* I pay 10 dollars, my car is now clean. I'm happy.

But what if I went through the "two minutes of scrubbing" car wash? All of a sudden I've got three possible sets of results:

* I pay 10 dollars, my car is scrubbed for 2 minutes. My car is now clean. I'm happy.
* I pay 10 dollars, my car is scrubbed for 2 minutes. My car is not yet clean. If I want my car to be clean, I will have to pay at least another 10 dollars, maybe more. I'm not happy.
* I pay my 10 dollars. My car is scrubbed for 2 minutes. My car is clean, but I really feel like that car wash was slacking and they could have done the job in 1 minute. I feel ripped off.

Now, obviously there's a ton of conversation that could be had about how to price yourself, particularly if you're in a "face to face" service profession such as massage therapy. (The only time I charge hourly is when I'm doing face to face consulting. Of course my hourly rate in that case is really high because, well, I hate meetings.)

But if you take anything away from this hourly post, it should be this: Hourly work sucks. You don't suck. You shouldn't have to work hourly.

Later,

Chris "Mr. Moneyfingers" Haddad

If you have prior experiences of making candles as a hobby, then you'll definitely find this as an easy business to start from home. Being a proven income opportunity, there is a market for every type of candle sold in the market. The prime factors behind the skyrocketing popularity of a candle-making business are the relatively inexpensive supplies and the opportunity to use your creativity in terms of styles, colors, scent and sizes.

Your profitable candle-making business depends on your buyers' preferences especially if it is a part-time or a home-based business. And there lies the beauty of it: you give your creative side an outlet while earning considerable income. You may also opt to venture into mass production of ordinary candles that require less effort to make. Selling them by the dozens will make your income opportunity almost equivalent to the income obtained by selling the designer ones.

It's always better to determine your prospects first before starting any kind of business. A candle-making business also demands the same steps to be taken before making investments. Sell your candles to retail stores that purchase on a wholesale basis or through consignments. Another opportunity is to sell your candles to businesses like gift basket businesses or bed and breakfasts. Develop good public relations skills to market to your local community. It can turn into a large customer base with high income opportunity.

What will you need to start this business?

Apart from beeswax and spermaceti, there's a third kind or raw material that added sophistication in the candle-making business. Commonly known as Gel Candles, these ones are made of paraffin that are transparent and consist of suspended decorative items and come within a container, which, most of the times, is a transparent one (glass or heat-resistant high-quality plastic).

Be sure to have a considerable amount of wax or paraffin, containers to melt them and a place to conduct all the work. Molds and containers give the desired shape to the molten mass, which again depends upon the kind of raw material used. For example, pillar wax has a high melting point while paraffin has a lower one.

Fragrances and dyes will round up your initial investment to around $200. Candle-making books and videos and attending candle-making courses may hike the price by another $300. Considering the high income opportunity of a candle-making business, selling on online markets to friends, family members and neighbors, in flea markets and public markets will usually cover your investments with the sale of the first 200 units.

Mary had worked in a professional capacity for others for many years. She trusted her knowledge and skills and more than anything else she wanted to run her own business. It did not take her long to put together a business plan and to secure a loan. She was very excited and ready to go. Yet it didn't happen. Many months went by and Mary was busy with a lot of things that she "needed" to handle. The curious thing was that these were not new concerns but suddenly they became something Mary had to deal with now.

1. Everything you feel is fine

Mary was so enthusiastic about her new venture that she did not acknowledge to herself that she was also scared. In the past she had always had the umbrella of a company over her. This time she was going to be the umbrella. Mary's process of charging forward had always been her strength so it upset her greatly when she was not able to do that now. Just to admit that she was scared was scary for Mary since she interpreted these feelings as being negative and that she "should not" have them. Feelings just are. Allow yourself the freedom to feel whatever you feel. You can then decide which feelings you act upon and which do you just allow to be present.

2. Trust Your Own Voice

You will find that there are inevitably people in your circle of acquaintances who will question the wisdom of your new venture. If you have done your homework and know deep down that there is merit to what you want to do, trust it. These voices of others jingle your own anxieties because you have asked yourself the same questions. Trust your intellectual side in this.

3. Have at least one person who believes in you.

Yoiu will need to have a cheerleader (can be a family member, friend, coach etc.) to whom you can tell your fears and worries but who will understand that you are bound to have them. Any time we move out of our comfort zone we experience anxiety and a yearning to stay in the familiar groove. The person who believes in you will see this as normal and will keep encouraging you to stay the course.

4 Have a daily task list

Mary found that the best way to push through her fears and procrastination was to expect herself to take action. It helped her to to write down tasks that she then held herself accountable for. She found that once she accepted that it was to be expected that she would have anxiety and fear she was able to begin moving forward with her new business. Mary also had to let go of her deep down idea that things had to be perfect.

5. Be your own umbrella

Mary had to learn to trust that in time she would grow into trusting herself. In the meantime she just had to keep taking steps to move her business forward and accept the fact that in order to take risks one has to be willing to leave the familiar comfort zone. In time she would know when to close her umbrella and shine in her own right.

So many solo professionals are too busy to wash their cars and they make excuses like, my clients will not care, but is that really true? I submit to you that it is not and would like to ask you a few questions if you think it is okay to drive a dirt bomb car in your business endeavors. Now then:

• Would you eat at a Restaurant if you saw bugs on the floor?
• Would you fly in an Airliner with a Pilot who had tattoos visible?
• Would you ride on the back of a motorcycle with someone wearing sandals?
• Would you get your hair cut by a hairdresser whose scissors had rust on them?
• Would you trust a Financial Planner who used a little "Hello Kitty" pink calculator?
• Would you trust a contractor or remodeler who showed up in a Yugo with no bumper to do the bid?
• Would you do business with a 20-year old mortgage broker with a nose ring and a Led Zepplin T-shirt?
• Would you go to a car wash where the sign was falling down and the employees looked like they might steal something?

Heck, maybe you would, but I wouldn't and I guarantee you most of your clients wouldn't either. So, what do I know? Maybe you are the cream of the crop there in your area selling whatever it is that you sell, but you'll never get my business with that attitude or with a lack of respect to those who are paying the inflated commissions on their purchases.

Yes, I said inflated. You know many people think that those who sell something, even professional consultants are merely parasites. I don't, but believe me I have had conversations out there like that and heard the feedback that folks are too nice to say to your faces. I do not necessarily agree with them, mostly, I think that sort of talk is wrong, but the stereotype is what you need to overcome and believe me driving a dirty car is not doing you any favors.