If you’re thinking of launching a home-based business as a virtual assistant, freelance writer or editor, photographer, web designer, or online tutor, there are some steps you’ll need to take early on to set yourself up for the most success. You’ll need to use the best tech tools for your profession, for instance, and create a private office space that keeps you focused and productive while working from home.
Experienced virtual assistant and accountability coach Katherine Curry shares four tips for launching a successful business right from your very own home office.
1. Choose Your Space Wisely
If you thought starting a home-based business meant working from your living room couch, bed, or dining room table, think again. When launching a business from home, one of the first (and most important) steps you’ll need to take is to create a private office space in an area with minimal foot traffic — whether it’s a spare bedroom, basement, nook, attic, or converted garage. You’ll also need to set boundaries with your other household members to minimize distractions and strike a healthy balance between work and family.
In addition to choosing a private space for your new office, it’s important to pay attention to the look and feel of the rest of your home as things like clutter, dirt, and grime can negatively affect the energy in your home. When negative energies are present, you may feel unfocused and unproductive while working from home, and your new business could struggle.
When starting a home-based business, the following actions will make your home a happier, healthier, and more pleasant place to live and work:
- Cleaning and decluttering the home
- Cleansing all doors and windows
- Smudging the home with sage or patchouli
2. Look for Coaches and Mentors
Starting a business is scary, and for many new entrepreneurs and solopreneurs, it helps to have guidance and support from a trusted business coach or mentor. If you’re starting a virtual assistant business, for instance, Katherine Curry’s accountability coaching services can help you to feel more confident in your decision to launch a business, set attainable business goals and targets, and above all, support you in your entrepreneurial journey.
For other industries, Noam Kostucki of Entrepreneur Handbook recommends looking for business mentors on LinkedIn and Facebook, obtaining referrals from friends and colleagues, and using the internet to search for experts in your field. You could also join the British Chambers of Commerce, National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE), or Federation of Small Business (FSB).
3. Find Clients Online
Thanks to the internet, finding clients is easier than ever, as long as you’re looking in the right places. The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) offers the following tips for getting started:
- Requesting referrals from personal contacts
- Sending personalized messages to your existing contacts on LinkedIn
- Calling or emailing small businesses near you
- Visiting online job boards like PeoplePerHour, Fivesquid, Freelance Near Me, and Skillbox
4. Use the Right Tech
To succeed as a home-based business owner, you’ll need to use all the best tech tools to stay productive, organized, and profitable. Several top tech tools to consider include Google Drive, PayPal, QuickBooks, Zoom, Calendly, Canva, Asana, SmarterQueue, and StayFocusd.
As a home-based business owner, tech tools can help you with everything from managing your projects and tracking your time, to creating eye-catching visuals and scheduling social media posts.
The Bottom Line
A lot of time and dedication goes into getting a home-based business off the ground, but these four tips will help you to find the success you so greatly deserve. It can take some time to find your first clients, however, so don’t give up or feel discouraged if it’s taking longer than you expected. Keep at it and you’ll get there!
Are you launching or running a home-based virtual assistant business? Contact Katherine Curry to learn about her accountability coaching, business growth, financial management, and virtual assistance services.