As you all know, we’re having a bit of a bumpy ride economically lately, and although there is talk of a recovery, we all know someone who has been laid off, about to be laid off, and will be laid off in the coming weeks. These days the BBC is littered with stories about people who cannot find jobs, and have been actively searching for employment for months, and in extreme cases even a couple of years now. HOWEVER, I feel these people are missing a trick:
Problem
You cannot find a job, and certainly not one in the field you are qualified or suited.
Solution
Employ yourself.
= Problem Solved
Now if I was sitting at home trying to find a job after months, weeks, and even years, then I can think of a hundred things I could do better with that time than complaining I couldn’t find a job. Namely creating my own job with a business – and as an individualist, I do not believe in Government handouts as a solution to all my problems.
So here are some things to think about.
Do you have a business idea?
Now no-one is expecting you to invent the lightbulb, or some sort of super car which can fly and runs on human poo. Which is what tends to spring to mind when people are asked about business. You don’t need to re-invent the wheel, you can do something which already exists. For example, we are a web design agency, and there are plenty of others all over the country who design websites like us. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a slice of the pie for us. Look for a niche area, namely something your interested in or good at, and go for it.
Don’t put things off…
We’re all guilty for it, including me, we keep putting things off and aiming to tackle thing another day, wether it is opening bills, or dealing with an awkward client. I can safely tell you that these things do not go away and you are best off tackling it head on – and the same goes for your business. If you have an idea, don’t think that you can’t do it, you must do it and put your all into too.
Financial Burdens
One thing which puts people off starting a new business are the financial implications. Some new business start ups need some money up front to start their business, and at the moment its not easy to find. But here is the best way to do it. Get someone to help you right a FULL, in-depth business plan. Now I’m a non-believer of business plans, however banks are believers. If you have a sounds business idea, and a sound business plan, you will find the money you need to start your business. But a lot of online businesses result in a minimal, to zero set up cost, which is why they are perfect in a recession.
Blog
Now I see hundreds of redundant blogs out there. Why? Because people start them with good intentions, they blog all the time, every day, but they never or seldom get comments on their blog. This upsets them that they are getting no reward for their efforts, and so slowly if not straight away, they stop. But blogging isn’t an overnight thing, we only started to get notice taken of our blog after one and a bit years later. But in the beginning you will get little or no response. The main thing to remember is that this is normal and to be expected. It will come with time that you will gain an authority on the internet, and age is the biggest authority there is. The key isn’t frequency, but regularity. If your going to blog once per week, do it the same day every week, without fail. It’s not easy, but it has to be done.
When I started in Business, a few things that I wish someone had told me:
Get an accountant
They are not as expensive as you might think, and its worth them doing your book keeping too, not straight away, but ASAP.
Become a Limited Company
There are, tons of really cheap places on the internet to register a limited company. Save your self money by being tax efficient, and protect your personal assets.
Be Proactive in finding new business
Sounds obvious I know, but somewhere along the line, you will feel that your business is going to walk in the door with a £ sign on their head, well you are wrong. So give your business card to everyone you know and attend as many networking groups as possible.
Go into business with a business partner, not just your friend
A lot of people will look to find a business partner when starting a new business. I think its for security, they feel like they need to have someone else to blame when things go wrong, or someone else to share with when things go right. Either way this is not a bad thing, but you must absolutely trust that the person you are in business with, will not let you down, and will pull their weight, otherwise things with go sour fast!
I hope these tips help, and good luck in your new venture!
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