I started my online service business over sixteen years ago. As you can imagine much has changed in the online world, especially for service providers. Some things are much better and others, well, they use improvements. What I wish I knew when I was starting a business could fill a book but I’ll try to keep it a minimum for you.
Was I Starting A Business
I think one of the first things I wish I had known was that I was really starting a business. I didn’t know that until after I had a few clients! Seriously! I wanted help add to the family income so I started locally with an insurance agent and began referring me to others. One day he looked at me when I was visiting his office and he said, “You know you have a business here.” I said, “No I don’t I’m just helping a few people with their business.” “Exactly,” he said, “that is a business.” I turned and looked back at him, as my mind wrapped around his words that I had a business and said, “Oh, I guess you’re right, I do have a business.” I stood there half shocked and half excited.
Family Roots
Some would say I have it in my genes. My parents owned several businesses as I was growing up. They also held full-time jobs during some of their entrepreneurial adventures.
I often helped at some of their businesses. From being a dishwasher in their restaurant to helping at antique shows for their antiquities business, I was called on to help them (whether I wanted to or not <wink>).
Lessons Learned From Family Businesses
What I learned from my early exposure to business and whether it failed or did well, was to stay in your lane of passion. Do what you love and are gifted at doing it. Just because it may be a good idea does not mean it should be your good idea to create.
I can be one of many ideas, believe me, but it does not mean I should do them all. I have learned that I need to focus on my passion for helping women in business. While all the businesses I have owned have taught me much about being a business owner, they were all leading me to this time in my entrepreneurial journey.
Where are you on your journey? Are you learning or are you working on your passion story?
Add A Team First To My Business
Another important thing I learned in starting and running a business is that I should have added a team and built the agencies first. Let me explain. If I had known I wanted to create an agency I would have begun with a team.
There are many reasons why I recommend this to you. The biggest reason is because when I first added a team member I had to share the income from the client they worked on. I was used to having the entire fee to myself so that meant that I had a big reduction in my monthly income.
I didn’t realize I was going to have an agency but if you know you want to create one start by adding a team member first. Then allow them to work on that first client alongside you as you develop processes and systems that work.
If you are starting to build an agency and already have clients then start a team member on an incoming client you may have. Eventually, you will want to get to a place of being hands-off in your client work except for a monthly strategy call or similar. Then you will focus more on your business not working in it (unless there is a problem with the client and/or team member).
Count The Costs Of Starting A Business
The other consideration when you start your business is counting the costs involved. As I said I didn’t know I was starting a business but if I had I would have tried to figure out all the costs involved with my business.
Costs Involved in Starting Your Business:
- Equipment – office equipment like a computer, phone, and printer (optional) will be some of the basics needed.
- Software – there are multiple software systems you need today (see below for more on this).
- Website Costs – it is expensive to get a website unless you know how to set one up. It can also be expensive to maintain it. Not to mention hosting it every year, along with purchasing your domain each year (unless you purchase several years upfront).
All The Software When Starting
Yes, there are many software systems that most entrepreneurs use today. The basics are Microsoft, Google, and Project Management Systems.
Other Software You May Need:
- Calendar Scheduler – it is important to have a calendar scheduler you can use.
- Email Marketing – usually a monthly subscription. Most, however, are free up to a certain amount of contacts. I like Moosend and it is free for 30 days and then as low as $7/Month for up to 500 contacts. Do your homework and look for a system you like and is easy to use.
- Invoicing (Accounting) Software – you must have some way to invoice your clients. This may be Quickbooks, Freshbooks, Wave, or others. You can also use an all-in-one type of software. Software like Full Scope Freelancer can help you with not only invoicing but also set up a website, email marketing, scheduling social media, and more.
- Time-keeping – some of you will need to use time-keeping software. If you use Full Scope Freelancer, Quickbooks, or Freshbooks you can utilize their programs. There are many other options as well.
- Payment Processors – will be needed to help you receive payments from your clients. This could be one of the invoicing software options you use or it could be something like PayPal or Stripe.
Many others may come up depending on your niche area. These, however, are the basics.
When I started you could purchase the Microsoft program outright and download it to your laptop and it lasted for years. Today, however, like most software programs now you have to pay a subscription fee monthly (or pay a year’s fee up front). This can all add up quickly so be wise, do your due diligence, and try to sign up for free software at least at the beginning.
The Client Care Involved In Business
I’ve worked in a number of offices over the years. My parents also taught me well due to their businesses. They always had us answer our home phone politely and professionally in case it had to do with business. Therefore I knew how to act professionally thanks to my parents and my corporate experiences. I did not fully understand, however, client care and what it involved.
“Client Care is the management of all aspects of caring for or showing your concern and appreciation for your clients while providing quality services to them.”
Fearless Business Boss
I would now add to this definition and say that it involves understanding your client’s need(s) and pain points so that you can deliver the right solutions for them.
“when you show professionalism and respect to your clients you will often stand out above the rest. It is another way to show you care.”
Fearless Business Boss Article
How To Attract New Clients (Lead Gen)
How to attract new clients or lead generation is the million dollar question, isn’t it? And each niche service as well as industry can have their unique ways of doing this consistently.
I will say one of the best things you can do is build relationships. Connect with people in your ideal prospective industry. Try to be real and genuine. In the first meeting do not sell anything unless asked about it. Simply get to know the person and find out what their need are or where they are struggling. Connect over and over again, sending short messages or emails letting them know you are thinking of them. Before you know it you will have a friend you can talk to and who will confide in you. Do NOT use the relationship, simply be in the relationships you build. Do not look at it like a sale. Nobody wants to speak with a salesperson.
Build genuine real relationships. Set up your marketing funnels and free offers and continue to post on social media. You have to be consistent in all of your marketing funnels all of the time. I know it sounds tiring especially if you are doing it all. That is why I always suggest, once you are earning a little money, to bring on a contracted team member to help you with tasks you really don’t enjoy or do not know how to do. Delegate and release!
Of course you know this is a broad overview of starting a business and some of the things I wish I had known before starting my businesses. You do not know what you do not know however until you need it.
Book Your Free Session
Please reach out if I can help you set up your business or help you begin to add your team. Remember I offer free mini coachign sessions just hop on a Zoom session with me – we can really accomplish so much in this session!
*some of the links in this article may have affiliate links. This means if you decide to sign up for this software I will be rewarded within their program or financially. I ONLY Share products and services that I use myself and believe in.