I’ve been working from home since 2006. I will be one among many in my community of bloggers, service providers, life coaches, and entrepreneurs to say that starting a service business is not easy. There are many things you need to take into consideration before starting your own business. If you want to be your own boss, but not sure how to get started, then continue reading for some tips.
What are examples of a service business?
First off, you’re probably wondering what a service business is. Some examples of a service business included accounting, baking, consulting, cleaning, landscaping, and virtual assistant. People who start a service business have a specific skill or degree in an arena that provides assistance to someone else.
How to Start a Service Business
Know Your Skills
If you’re interested in starting a service business then it’s important to be knowledgable about the service you plan to provide. As an example, when I decided to start my virtual assistant business in 2006, I knew that I had administrative assistant skills. I excelled in this area, so it was a no brainer starting a service business as a virtual assistant.
Make a List
Make a list of tasks you’ve completed or are capable of completed in the specific service business you plan to start. As an example, my administrative assistant skills include ROI reports, basic accounting, marketing, outbound, and inbound phone calls, data entry, and other skills to include creating tri-fold brochures for the company.
Make a Website
You need to have some way for people to see your services offered, rates, and other details pertaining to your new service business. Build a website that will feature a portfolio of your work, skills and other details such as service package options. Having a virtual storefront via a new service business website allows people to find you.
Add a Blog
Make sure to add a spot for a blog on your business website. Having a business blog allows you to share your expertise with blog post tutorials. These blog posts will not give away your service business skills for free, but rather provide an outlet to share your knowledge so that people will trust your knowledge. A blog for your business is also great for SEO, more on that later.
Draft a Service Business Plan
Some will argue that you need a business plan when starting a service business, while others have been quite successful without one. I recommend you at least start with a mission statement. This mission statement will easily showcase your morals, values, and integrity to do with starting a service business and help customers place their needs in your hands.
Market Yourself
I’ll admit, I am not good at marketing for myself. I hate to feel spammy or pushy with services. So my service business gets most clients from word of mouth. I’m hoping to change that in 2020 because starting a service business requires that you market yourself. Create a marketing plan that includes promoting your services via social media and a business blog.
At the end of the day starting a service business is all about taking what you’e learned throughout the years and morphing that into a business. I love being a virtual assistant and content writer, these are my favorite tasks in the world. That actually brings me to my final point;
When starting a service business be certain to choose an industry that you’re passionate about. The passion will drive you forward towards success easier.