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Dreams. Goals. Success

Are you a freelancer looking to expand your business, and transform your dreams into achievable goals and real success?  Here are a few pointers:

• The general idea: What type of business? There are so many possibilities: Restaurant, Public Relations Firm, and Clothing Store, just to name a few.  Choose a focus for your business and make sure that you can answer a few questions before you move onto specifics.  For example, what is your business’ mission?  Direction—where do you see your business if five years?  Ten?  Even fifty?
• The specifics: Create solid, realistic goals, set your sights high, but not too high (don’t set yourself up for disappointment).  Ask yourself, whom, if anyone, you would like to go into business with.  Do they have the same dreams and goals as you do?  Good relationships with your coworkers are extremely important for any business, especially if you will be working directly with customers.
• Get creative: Every company needs an attention-getting logo along with a catchy phrase.  This creates brand recognition, and tells the potential customer something about your business.  Brainstorm, bounce some ideas around with a friend, and then narrow it down.  You may be biased, so don’t be afraid to ask others for advice!
• Contacts: your contacts and clients basically make your business!  You have to have a solid list of contacts, and maintain good relationships with them.  Note: maintaining good relationships, and understanding conflict management are extremely important for any business! 
• Organization is key:  Keeping track of payment, clients, and products can be hard without a good system.  Keep neat files of payments that you give and receive.  Most businesses use QuickBooks.  You can even download a free copy here.
• Set yourself apart: Why should someone give you business over your competitors?  What do you have to offer that no one else does?  This may be very difficult, but also crucial for success.

Good luck

By Becky Wool, Account Assistant