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Women have started home-based businesses at a higher rate than men over the last few years. 71% of home businesses are operated by women (versus 61% of men), according to the 2012 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report. If you are an ambitious woman, you could take inspiration from Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post or Jordan Lloyd Bookey who launched a successful app called Zoobean.
The reasons behind this increasing number of home businesses seem obvious. Once women have a family, new priorities come into play. Many women start their own businesses at home because of the flexibility and freedom this provides in terms of scheduling and convenience. If you’d like to run your own business at home you can do it. Once you have decided about your business idea, you just need to consider 10 things to create a prosperous business in your own living room. Take a look:
1. Build a Killer Website
Your website may probably be the first impression prospect clients have of your business. Build a responsive website with a clean and a visually- appealing design. It should be both attractive and resourceful. Your website is more than a marketing tool; in some cases it could even be your only source of business.
2. Develop Quality Content
Your website not only should grab the attention of people, it may also provide helpful and user-driven information. Provide useful information to educate people about your business and products. Keep in mind that if you do not develop unique and high-quality content, your website might not even appear in the first few pages of Google search results. In fact, did you know that according to a study from Optify, the top organic on the first page of Google get 58.4% of all clicks from users? In other words, you better start working on quality content now
3. Get a Phone System
If you want to create a professional image for your business, you may want to get a phone system. Even if you have a home office you can make your business look much bigger with an entry-level unit, like the XBLUE X16, because you can now enjoy convenient features that were only found in large company systems a few years ago. For example, you can get auto attendant and minimize the risk of missing any important calls ever again.
4. Create a Work Space
Let your family know your business is of paramount importance by creating a private working space. You need to get away from daily tasks to focus on your business. Make sure your office is well lit and ample. Decorating your office will help be more proactive at work.
5. Become Active on the Social Networks
Social media is the door your clients use to interact with your brand, so you need to maintain a steady social media presence to engage customers and keep them loyal to your brand. Upload original and interesting posts, respond promptly to your clients and promote contests, so your customers can get special discounts or coupons.
6. Link up With Strategic Partners
Create a win-win partnership to increase the exposure of your brand and be able to reach more customers. As the saying goes “unity is strength”. Partner with businesses that have products that are complementary to yours and make sure you share a similar vision. Partnerships may be tough to find and establish, but the rewards make worth the effort.
7. Design Your Business Cards
If you are proud to become an entrepreneur, share it with your family, colleagues and friends by making your own business cards. Custom business cards are a valuable marketing tool for increasing the awareness of your brand. Create professional-looking business cards to get people interested in your business.
8. Get a Spacious Desk and Comfortable Chair
Get a desk where you can place all you need to perform your daily tasks. Plenty of space is vital in a home office. At the beginning you may need reduced space but your business may grow faster that you expect. Get an ergonomic chair to avoid back pain- take good care of your health.
9. Get a Note Board
Even though we have a myriad of apps to set reminders, synchronize calendars, save notes and hundreds of capabilities, there is nothing better than a good old-fashioned note board to put up inspirational quotes, brainstorming, To-Do lists and alike.
10. Add Your Personal Touch
Personalizing your workspace can help you boost your general happiness and job satisfaction. Adding your personal touch by decorating your office, choosing the colors you prefer and creating a peaceful workspace can lead to great effects like a positive attitude.
If you are ready to embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure, start your own business. It may be challenging but rewarding along the way. Consider implementing the ten elements mentioned above to achieve successful outcomes.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of TelcoDepot.com.
These are all great tips! I think social media is where it’s at for all business owners, so that is huge!
Developing quality content is a must. It’s what you need to keep readers coming back for more and more.
Like, Like, Like. Thank you so much for the helpful tips. I’ve been thinking about venturing off and potentially starting my own business. This has already been bookmarked. =)
This is great to know! I’ll have to let my sister in law know. She’s in the process of opening her own business, this is all very helpful!
These are fantastic tips! This list also reminded me I need to update my business cards.
These are important things to take into account. It can be pretty overwhelming in the beginning.
Great advise. I agree social media is super important. Definitely the way to go this day in age!
This is a great post. My friend is thinking about starting her own business. I will have to share this post with her.
These are great tips. I love seeing women empower other women to succeed.
These are great things to consider! There is so much involved with running your own business but it’s so rewarding!
Those are excellent tips. It is important to partner with strategic people in your field
Great tips! I think you’ve covered everything!
Great post! I love #8 the best, myself personally
Great tips! I don’t have a business, but my blog counts, I have cards myself to pass out
This is a great list for anyone looking to open a business.
In a day when social media can consume us, I have found that building relationships one person at a time makes a huge difference.