From
experience, in my short exposure to the Internet
and its proposition, I have compiled a list
of "What to Look Out For and How to Initiate
a Home-based Business." I hope you will
find some of these tips useful - they may help
prevent stumbling blocks in the future.
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1.
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Protect yourself from work at home
scams promising big money. Be choosy,
these programs will be your income.
Go to: http://www.fraud.org
(The National Fraud Information Center
Web Site.) Better to be safe, then
sorry!
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2.
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3.
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Do plenty of research! This is your
business and it pays to be well informed.
Talk to you friends, fellow businessmen,
and even family can help. Read magazines,
visit your local library, and visit
web sites online that focus on the home-based
business.
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4.
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Get Sincere About Money! Your home-based
business will not turn a profit for
six to twelve months. Decide whether
you want to do it full or part-time.
If you are working outside the home,
consider staying on until you see
a profit. Calculate your household
budget and see what you can put aside
to stay afloat. Unseen expenses can
drive your home business under quickly.
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5.
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Be sure to include your family in
your decision to operate a home-based
business. Set aside your own location,
be it a corner or small room. Set
the hours you will be working and
stick to them. Be sure that your children
know what you expect from them when
you are working.
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6.
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Be aware that there may be certain
guidelines you need to follow concerning
a home-based business in your area.
Check with your county/ municipal clerk
for permits, and/or insurance, and licenses.
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7.
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Meet with Advisors, whether a lawyer
or an associate to discuss your plan
and get their feedback.
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8.
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Above all, write out your business
plan - your personal road map of what
you will do. Stumped? Try: http://www.sba.gov
for additional free resources.
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9.
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Set up your office. Setting up my office
was a fun job! I have a room six by
six feet - just enough room for me and
my PC and file cabinet. Just a note:
A working door with a lock is helpful.
You will be surprised how often you
will be interrupted!
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10.
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Open a Business Checking Account.
It is wise to keep business and personal
funds separate, and beneficial when
it is tax time.
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11.
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Have business cards made up and
hand them out. Be sure to include
all pertinent information, especially
your web site and email. Send a press
release. Suggestions can be found
at: http://www.press-release-writing.com
Network! Spread the word, offline
and on. Use message boards, e-groups,
news groups, small business sites,
newsletters, ezines, free classifieds,
and URL submissions. Ask family and
friends help you.
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12.
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Get a free web site, I am using
www.bizland.com but there are many
others. Get a domain name! Use your
company name. Don't have a clue as
to how to set up your site? I can
recommend a web master and friend
that may be able to help. He has designed
mine with proper meta tags for the
search engines. You may visit www.clayparker.net
or email Clay at claydparker@earthlink.net.
Be sure to let him know that I sent
you.
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13.
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Never Stop Marketing! No matter
how "sick" of it you get,
stay focused! Set aside time to spread
the word. Plan your working hours.
It is very easy when you work at home
to be distracted or take too many
breaks. This is the key to success!!
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14.
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Keep financial records. If you are
bad with numbers, find someone that
is, or an accountant.
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15.
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Take time out to enjoy yourself. Computers
have a way of keeping you occupied for
hours. Take a walk, go shopping, or
visit a friend and be sure to give your
attention to your family.
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Last,
but not least: enjoy your business. Remind yourself
why you are doing it. Whether it is because
you hate working outside the home, or working
for a boss, perhaps it is the fact that you
need daycare for little ones - whatever the
reason....strive to do your best and Never Give
Up.
