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Top Tips for Starting Your New Business
by Roy Babineaux
Published on this site: April 20th, 2006 - See
more articles from this month
Prices are going up, up, up and just about everybody is needing
a little extra cash these days. This is probably the best
time ever for you to own your own small business.
Now before you start thinking you'll have to get a bank loan,
remember that you can own a small home-based business for
just a few dollars--or even free.
You can easily run your home business from your kitchen table
and, frankly, you can finance your business from a few bucks
you save out of the grocery money.
How much time will it take to run your home business? That
depends on several things, but mostly it depends on how hard
you want to work your business. If you've got lots of time
through the day you can work your business, then you can go
after it full force. If you've already got a job or two, you
can work your business in the evening, in the morning before
work, or on the weekends.
The amount of money you earn will largely depend on how hard
you work your business. If you're full-time, your business
can start out earning hundreds each month and move up to several
thousand dollars a month in earnings.
Work your business part-time and you can earn anywhere from
an extra $100 to $1,000 per month. And that might be just
what you need to supplement your income from your regular
job.
What kind of business should you own? Try to find one that
matches your talents and needs. If you like to talk to people
and sell them on your ideas, you would do very well in a business
that requires a little selling. You'll enjoy it and make a
lot of money at it.
If the idea of having to sell something makes you want to
run the other way, don't worry. There are businesses that
require almost no selling. About all you have to do is use
the products you sell and talk to people about the products
when they ask.
Of course, new customers rarely fall into your lap. You have
to make an effort to find new prospects.
Here are several simple and cheap ways to get new customers.
- Talk to everyone you know about your business. More than
a few will take an interest and want to buy from you.
- Send out letters or postcards. Send 10 per week. You can
get names and addresses from clubs, associations, the chamber
of commerce, and "list brokers" who are in the
business of selling addresses. Check your Yellow Pages under
"Direct Mail."
- Put up a web site. Include all your experiences, products,
and ideas on it, then register the site with Google. It's
free to do and pretty soon all the search engines will include
your site's listing.
- Put ads in email newsletters. It's a very cheap way to
reach thousands of people who are probably very interested
in a home business. Search Google for "ezine directory"
to find sites that list thousands of email newsletters.
- Sell your products or service as a fundraiser for a local
non-profit. They can sell the product you supply. It's a
win for them and a BIG win for you, as you'll make money
from those sales and often grab new customers in the process.
- Sell at flea markets in your area. Get a low-cost booth
and tell your story to anyone who will listen. That's what
flea markets are for, and you won't feel one bit out of
place.
- If you already have a web site, promote your business
on your site and convert your audience into customers.
These are a few time-tested ideas to help you get started.
If you're getting the itch to start your own business, go
for it. It'll be the smartest thing you'll ever do.
Roy Babineaux is President/CEO of Cajun Country Candies.
He started CCC as a home-based business, then grew it into
a huge organization spanning the United States. Learn how
to start your own business for free, then earn big up to 40% commissions. Get started at http://www.cajuncountrycandies.com/usa
Reach Roy at [email protected]
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