| Starting your own business is an exciting adventure. | | | | 7.Research - research the market, talk to people that |
| Each of us has great expectations of how running our | | | | are successful in this area, visit Forums |
| own business from home will release us from | | | | 8.Knowledge - Learn about your industry and what is |
| Corporate America, give us more freedom, and soon | | | | required to be successful and make sure you have |
| bring us to the ultimate dream of financial freedom. | | | | and are capable of these items. |
| There are numerous factors that come into play when | | | | Once you have the start-up in place, you must now |
| we decide to start our own home based business, but | | | | decide on your goals, do you need a website, and how |
| the most overlooked is an iron clad Business Plan. I do | | | | are you going to promote your business? So often, |
| not mean some ideas floating around in your head of | | | | people jot down a few ideas that are unrealistic |
| unrealistic goals and no set way to reach them. | | | | compared to their time available to spend on the |
| Your Business Plan should include but not be limited to | | | | business, their financial means, and their work ethic. |
| the following ideas. | | | | Here are some questions to ask yourself when you |
| First and foremost, is the start-up of a business, which | | | | are developing your business plan: |
| includes issue such as: | | | | 1.Where am I now and where am I going? |
| 1.Choosing a Business - you should choose an area | | | | 2.What do I want to have, to do, to be? |
| that is of interest to you and you can be excited about | | | | 3.What will it cost? |
| promoting but also that is something that others are | | | | 4.What am I willing to sacrifice? |
| also interested in so the need is there. | | | | 5.What will be my method or tools to reach this goal? |
| 2.Choose a Name for Your Business - think long and | | | | 6.Who can I involve? |
| hard about this before registering a name that later | | | | 7.How many hours a week do I have to work on this |
| you regret. Make it memorable and creative. | | | | business? |
| 3.Business Location - Where are you going to "set up | | | | 8.What areas of advertising and marketing can I use? |
| shop"? It must be in an area that is free from | | | | 9.What knowledge do I need? |
| distractions and you can shut yourself off as you go | | | | 10.Do I have the right attitude, the desire and the |
| to "work" each day ~ an area to call your own. | | | | commitment? |
| 4.Legal Requirements - check out the requirements in | | | | Now, sit down and start putting your ideas on paper. |
| your state to make sure you meet any licensing | | | | Remember to develop short and long term goals. |
| required | | | | Make sure your goals are realistic and obtainable. |
| 5.Financing - Know what you have to spend and keep | | | | Make 90-Day plans, monthly plans, or even weekly |
| detailed records. Over obligating oneself can often | | | | plans. Your business plan is an ongoing process that |
| mean failure before you even start. | | | | must be changed as you move further and further into |
| 6.Sales & Marketing - How are you going to get word | | | | your business and gain the knowledge to know what |
| out there that you have a business? Who is your | | | | you need and desire. Make no mistake, having it in |
| target audience? | | | | writing will make you more focused and accountable. |